PA Governor Rendell Issues Statement, Says Passage of Legislation Strengthens Sony's Pittsburgh Operation

PA Governor Rendell Issues Statement, Says Passage of Legislation Strengthens Sony's Pittsburgh Operation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today issued the following statement on the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which was passed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The act includes legislation which suspends tariffs on certain components used to build high- end television sets. The president is expected to sign the legislation, perhaps as early as today.

"Passage of this legislation by both houses of Congress is good news for Pennsylvania and will help television companies like Sony, which has a large manufacturing facility outside Pittsburgh, compete in the global marketplace. A strong Sony means stability for the 2,200 highly skilled and experienced men and women who work for the company in Westmoreland County. The legislation encourages economic growth here at home and indirectly benefits thousands of other jobs in western Pennsylvania.

"For the past two years, I have been working with Pennsylvania's representatives in Washington, including Senator Rick Santorum and Representative Melissa Hart, on this important trade legislation, which is vital to keeping Sony successfully operating in the commonwealth.

"With this legislation, it is our hope that Sony will soon shift additional production lines to Pennsylvania, and begin producing new LCD products in Pittsburgh. That would also likely result in the hiring of hundreds of additional workers.

"This was a real team effort as we worked together to help Sony become stronger and to keep and grow job opportunities for Pennsylvanians."

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Amy Kelchner, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116.

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Amy Kelchner, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116

Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/

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