Fact Sheet On Martin O’Malley’s Economic Legacy

·         For the second month in a row, Maryland’s unemployment rate increased in September, according to government data released today.

·         Maryland was 1 of only 2 states in the nation to register an increase in the unemployment rate. The other state is Florida.

·         In December 2006, Bob Ehrlich’s last full month in office, Maryland’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent. Today, it has more than doubled to 7.5 percent.

·         More than 200,000 Marylanders are currently looking for work.

·         Martin O’Malley has yet to create a single private sector job in the state of Maryland over four years.

·         Maryland’s business climate ranking has dropped 23 spots to 45^th in the nation under O’Malley, according to the Tax Foundation.

·         Business confidence in Maryland has dropped 58% since Martin O’Malley took office, according to the Jacob France Institute

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·         Major employers are leaving Maryland or choosing to relocate in other states, including Black & Decker, BP Solar, Solo Cup, JP Morgan Chase, and Northrop Grumman.

·         More than 100,000 jobs in Maryland were created during Bob Ehrlich’s tenure, yet nearly 100,000 jobs have been lost during Martin O’Malley’s tenure.

·         Bob Ehrlich understands that small businesses should be treated as a source of new jobs – not a source of new tax revenue.  Martin O’Malley has chosen to put government spending ahead of the needs of Marylanders looking for work and ahead of families concerned about their economic future.

·         Learn more at bobehrlich.com.