MDGOP Statement On April Unemployment Numbers

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex X. Mooney issued the following statement today in response to Maryland’s latest job numbers:

“While today’s job numbers are encouraging, celebration would be premature. A large number of Marylanders still remain unemployed and with Northrop Grumman and Super Fresh recently announcing massive Maryland layoffs, we clearly have a rough road ahead. Maryland’s job creation has dismally settled to the bottom of all states over the past year and while one month of growth is encouraging, O’Malley’s predisposition to job-killing taxes and fees do not bode will for future job creation.”

Despite what Governor O’Malley claims, Maryland is not better off than most states:

Maryland ranked 44th in the nation for percent change in job growth from March 2010 through March 2011; last among neighboring states. Pennsylvania (1.37%), Delaware (1.37%), Virginia, (1.02%), Washington D.C. (0.76%), West Virginia (0.71%), Maryland (0.22%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1619-3155-125-13051, Accessed 4/25/11)

Maryland ranked 38th in the nation for annual employment gains through the end of the first quarter. (G. Scott Thomas, “Maryland adds 5,400 jobs in the past year,” Baltimore Business Journal, 4/25/11)

Maryland ranked 38^th in the nation for jobs created from March 2010 through March 2011, second to last among neighboring states. Jobs created: Pennsylvania (76,500), Virginia (37,000), Delaware (5,600), Washington D.C. (5,400), Maryland (5,400), West Virginia (5,300). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1619-3155-125-13051, Accessed 4/25/11)

With more job losses coming soon:

The parent company of Superfresh grocery stores warned the state on Monday it could cut nearly 1,500 jobs in Maryland if it closes 22 stores instead of selling them. (Ryan Sharrow, “Superfresh could cut nearly 1,500 Maryland Jobs, Baltimore Business Journal, 5/16/11)

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. expects to lay off about 200 employees at the end of the month, most of them in the Baltimore area. (Jamie Smith Hopkins, “Northrop Grumman to lay off 200, mostly in Baltimore area,” Baltimore Sun, 5/13/11)

Acme Markets announced Thursday that it is laying off about 900 of the 14,000 employees at its 117 stores in and around Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.  (Maria Panaritis, “Acme to lay off about 900 part-time workers,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/28/11)