Reasons to Pay Attention

In 2003, Child Poverty increased - 12.9 million American children (that's 17.6% of our children) lived in poverty.
Poverty for all Americans also increased in 2003 - 35.9 million Americans and almost 10% of all Pennsylvanians were poor.
Pennsylvanians' median income went down by 2.6% in 2003.
Women's wages continue to lag behind men's - for every dollar men make, women in similar jobs make 76 cents.
8.4 million (that's 11.4% of the total) American children have no medical insurance. Pennsylvania was one of 20 states where more families lost health insurance coverage in 2003 - 10% of PA's population went without health coverage.
85,198 Pennsylvania families turned to the government for cach assistance through welfare in 2003 (TANF). This is a 6.7% increase for 2003.
In July, PA lost 2,800 jobs (1,600 of them in manufacturing). Since 2001, PA has lost 160,000 manufacturing jobs.
As of March, 2005 1,025,750 Pennsylvanians were participating in the Food Stamp Program – 86,968 more than in March, 2004.
More than 350,000 Pennsylvanians are unemployed, and when they find other jobs, those jobs often pay 30% less and are 25% less likely to have health benefits.
Of the 50 states, Pennsylvania has the 7th highest home foreclosure rate in the country.