Archive: News

	Unemployment in Tompkins County rose by a full percentage point from December of 2007 to December of 2008.  In December 2007 unemployment was at 3.1% (1,700).  By November of 2008 it had gone up to 4.3% (2,400).  And in December it went up again to 4.7% (2,600).  This month the national unemployment rate soared at 7.6% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY) met with President Barack Obama at the White House this evening along with fellow members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition to discuss the economic stimulus plan currently before Congress as well as bipartisan solutions for long-term fiscal responsibility.

“The economic recovery legislation before Congress this week is just the first step in our long march to a full economic recovery,” said Arcuri, who met with President Obama this evening. “First, we have to jump start our economy and create jobs in the short-term. Then we have to get our fiscal house in order, restore fiscal responsibility and ensure accountability in how we spend tax-payers’ hard-earned dollars in the long-term.

“Every family in my district faces the burden of balancing the checkbook each month – it is only right that Congress does the same. The key to long-term economic growth and success is investing in our priorities now, while keeping one eye to the future we’re leaving our children and grandchildren.

“We also discussed priorities in the stimulus legislation and the need for action now. Unemployment is at all time highs across Upstate New York, our water infrastructure is outdated and in need of repair, and small businesses are faced with cutbacks and closures.  We must get the economy moving again.

“I look forward to working with this Administration, and Democrats and Republicans in Congress, to jump start our economy now and then figure out how to best tighten our belts in the long-run so we don’t pass our debt onto the next generation.”

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