Jobs and the Economy
As he has long said, Congressman Cartwright’s number one priority is to bring good-paying, family-sustaining jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania. While the people of the 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania are known for valuing hard work, the recent recession has created a lasting impact.
To create jobs, Congressman Cartwright will act to ensure that Congress is investing in infrastructure, and that the 17th District is getting its share of these projects. Pennsylvania has thousands of structurally deficient bridges that need repair and thousands of unemployed workers who have the skills to correct this issue. The Congressman will act to ensure that the two are linked. Also, Congressman Cartwright will work to expand rail service to the district and bring new clean energy jobs to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
While addressing our immediate needs is important, Congressman Cartwright also recognizes that we need to create long-term, sustainable jobs so that future generations of Northeastern Pennsylvanians will live in prosperity. To accomplish this goal, Congressman Cartwright will act to bolster our public education system and ensure that this generation of Americans can compete in the world-wide marketplace.
The engine that drives the economy of northeastern Pennsylvania and the United States is small business. Congressman Cartwright will work to ensure that the small businesses in the 17th district are on a level playing field with their larger competitors, so that their growth can continue.
See also information on Jobs and resources for Businesses.
More on Jobs and the Economy
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act of 2015, a bill that would provide $100 million to struggling coal communities to help build economic resilience, diversify industries, and promote new job creation opportunities; ensure fair returns on publicly owned coal; and improve the transparency of the federal coal program.
Scranton, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of the Army has awarded a military contract valued at $301,640,000 to Scranton’s General Dynamics plant, and Medico Industries, Wilkes-Barre Township.
Washington, DC – Last week, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright re-introduced the bi-partisan Wage Grade Employee Parity Act with U.S. Representative Tom Cole (OK-4).
The legislation would ensure that the percentage increase in rates of basic pay for Wage Grade, or hourly, employees is equivalent to the percentage increase received by General Schedule, or salaried, federal employees.
Washington – Last month, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act, H.R. 5548, legislation that would create clean technology and advanced manufacturing commercialization centers to promote domestic development, manufacture, and deployment of clean technologies.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after the passage of H.J. Res. 124 the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015. The legislation provides funding for the U.S. Federal Government operations through December 11, 2014: