The Trump economy is booming, and these benefits are helping Pittsburgh families big time.
For far too long, families across the country faced an uncertain future. The so-called leaders of our nation were sending jobs and wealth overseas, leaving the American people to deal with economic decline and dependency.
Even worse, draconian taxes and regulations meant that would-be entrepreneurs were held back by red tape.
Resulting from President Trump’s tax cuts and deregulations, Pennsylvania has transformed into the perfect environment for business and labor demand. Those conditions have put more money back in the pockets of Pennsylvanians and have created more jobs for our communities.
Thankfully, 2018 has been particularly good for our country.
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped below 4 percent for the first time in our nation’s history this year. The President’s pro-business, pro-growth policies also saw a record-breaking $300 billion repatriated back to the country during the first quarter of 2018. The second quarter of 2018 saw our nation’s GDP growth rate climb past 4 percent for the first time since 2014.
What does this mean for families in Pittsburgh and the rest of Pennsylvania? A secure financial future and a strong statewide economy.
Since President Trump took office, the state has added over 91,000 jobs and more than 45 businesses have either increased salaries, raised hourly wages, or awarded employees $1,000+ one-time bonuses, including seven right here in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — nearly a full point lower than the state as a whole and the lowest it has been since 1999. Compare this to the city’s unemployment rate of 6.1 percent when President Trump took office; higher than the state as a whole. We are on track for President Trump’s policies to halve Pittsburgh’s unemployment rate in less than two years.
More than half of the 91,000 jobs created in Pennsylvania under the new administration benefit the Pittsburgh area. Our city has seen a net gain of 51,000 jobs since January 2017, including over 1,000 manufacturing jobs and close to 2,000 mining and logging jobs.
In addition to creating a thriving economy, President Trump’s tax reform also directly implemented a number of pro-family policies. The child tax credit increased from $1,000 to $2,000, and even parents who don’t make enough money to pay income tax can still claim over $1,000 of the credit. Additionally, 529 savings plans can now be used for private school tuition.
The President’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, is also leading efforts to implement a national paid family leave policy. As the First Daughter said in her recent op-ed, "If executed responsibly, paid family leave is targeted government action with the right incentives — designed to increase the independence, health and dignity of our citizens."
The economy is almost unrecognizable from where it was two years ago. Pennsylvanians have more job opportunities and more money in their pockets than they’ve had in years.
But this is only the beginning.
As long as Americans vote to send Republicans who will support President Trump’s agenda to Washington, D.C. in November, taxes and regulations will continue to be cut, and the wealth, health, and happiness of America’s families will continue to grow.
Madison Gesiotto is a political commentator, lawyer, and former Miss USA contestant.