MANCESTER, NH— Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate in New Hampshire jumped to 4%, the fifth straight month of unemployment rate increases or stagnation. This new data is just the latest confirmation that our economy is failing New Hampshire’s families, and that we need to change course from the Bush economic policies that John McCain is intent on continuing. With the price of gas over $4.10 a gallon nationally, the cost of health insurance rising, and national job losses mounting for six straight months and totaling 438,000 since January, America’s working families need real relief.

“Barack Obama will offer change and real solutions for working middle class families while John McCain offers more of the same failed policies of the Bush administration that has led to record gas prices, soaring food costs, subsidies for oil and gas companies, tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, and higher unemployment,” Rep. Paul Hodes said. “These numbers show why we need a change in the White House to a new leader who will stand up for working middle class families and Barack Obama is that leader.”

The Obama economic plan would reverse the economic contraction in New Hampshire, stimulate job growth, and relieve the burden on working families. The Obama plan would:

Enact an immediate economic stimulus plan that would provide New Hampshire’s economy with over $218 million dollars in immediate assistance to help families and jumpstart job growth.  Provide 800,000 New Hampshire workers with a Making Work Pay tax cut of $500 per worker, and $1,000 per family.

In addition, Senator Obama’s plan will provide new tax cuts to help families afford healthcare, mortgages, college and save for retireIn contrast, Senator John McCain’s economic plan would:

Provide New Hampshire’s economy with $0 in direct fiscal stimulus. Senator McCain has repeatedly refused to join Senator Obama in supporting an additional round of stimulus. Provide $0 in tax relief for 508,000 households in New Hampshire: 70% of New Hampshire’s households would receive no benefit from the McCain tax plan. Even the conservative National Review concludes that the McCain tax plan “offers very little in the way of direct benefits to Americans in the middle of the income scale.”

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Washington , DC – Congresswoman Shea-Porter will hold a Middle Class Forum in Alton on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM. It will consist of a panel of representatives from various agencies around the state to offer information about getting help with mortgages, reducing energy bills, and many other useful money-saving tips. The Middle Class Forum will take place at the Alton Museum Complex.

What: Middle Class Forum

When: Friday July 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM .

Where: Alton Museum Complex

123 Main Street, Rte 11 and 140

Alton, NH 03809

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter introduced legislation with 11 of her New England colleagues to provide emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.  The legislation, the Home Energy Assistance through Emergency Relief Act, would increase funding for LIHEAP by $9 billion.  This comes one week after the Congresswoman sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer urging that LIHEAP funding be included in any future economic stimulus package. 

“With energy prices skyrocketing, low and moderate income families will be unable to heat their homes this winter,” said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter. “Hardworking Americans should not have to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm.”

Properly funding LIHEAP is critical to protecting New Hampshire seniors and children.  Last year’s record high energy costs resulted in many New Hampshire families carrying larger balances with their home heating venders.  Without assistance from LIHEAP, many families will be unable to receive enough oil during the winter months to keep their homes properly heated.  With current forecasts for home heating fuel averaging $5.00 per gallon, it is estimated that the average New Hampshire family could have to pay $4000 this winter in heating bills.     

Congresswoman Shea-Porter has been a strong advocate for LIHEAP funding. Earlier this year, she testified before the House Budget Committee and called for a “robust funding level.” Last year, Congresswoman Shea-Porter urged President Bush to properly fund the program by releasing the remaining contingency funds, and she helped pass an omnibus bill that included $2.6 billion in funding.