O’MALLEY ON MARYLAND’S SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH OF JOBS GAINS

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON MARYLAND’S SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH OF JOBS GAINS

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 21, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement that, for the second straight month, Maryland experienced net job growth. In April, Maryland’s unemployment rate dropped .2% to 7.5%, marking the first monthly decline in the state’s jobless rate since December 2007.

“Today’s announcement is another positive sign for families and businesses in Maryland. Building on our progress in March, Maryland created thousands of jobs in April as we come through the national recession. While there is still more to do, this second straight month of jobs gains shows that our economy is turning in a positive direction.

“We will continue to focus our energies on creating jobs, saving jobs, and helping our small businesses create and save jobs, delivering results for the people of our state and moving Maryland forward.”

Maryland’s unemployment rate is now approximately 25 percent below that national rate, which rose last month to 9.9 percent. The addition of 8,200 jobs last month marks the highest three-month jobs gain for Maryland in at least 20 years. The O’Malley-Brown Administration continues to leverage the enormous job-creating potential of our State, including strategic tax cuts for businesses that hire unemployed workers, and investments in important growth sectors of our economy, a world-class workforce, and America’s #1 ranked public schools.