And that is something new and exciting and trendsetting for Pennsylvania to celebrate. Two and a half years ago, the General Assembly and I considered our first order of business to help create a competitive climate and a competitive market for jobs. In Pennsylvania, our taxes were too high-so we cut them. Workforce development was outdated-so we're bringing it on line with today's needs. Today, more Pennsylvanians are working then ever before.
Work stoppages are at an all time low.
Interest in our state from companies outside of Pennsylvania is higher than ever before and international inquiries are up, too. The General Assembly's hard work has payed off. Pennsylvania hasn't just reformed welfare-we've begun to tackle the broader challenges of child care, transportation and job training so that parents can successfully make the transition from welfare to work. We've helped them make ends meet with a tax cut. We have turned our attention to building our communities, too.