STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ON JULY JOBS REPORT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 19, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today released the following statement on the July jobs report. Maryland added 8,100 jobs in July, and Maryland’s private sector added 10,400 jobs. So far this year, Maryland has added nearly 14,000 jobs.

“Our number one priority is to create and save jobs. This month’s report from the Department of Labor shows that Maryland is leading a strong jobs recovery with the sixth best private sector performance in the nation this month - creating 10,400 new jobs for our hardworking families. With this month’s gain, Maryland has been able to add 13,900 new jobs so far this year.

“However, in order for businesses to create more jobs, government must do its job. In Maryland and 33 other states, the public sector lost jobs this month—jobs we cannot afford to lose in this fragile recovery. While our unemployment rate at 7.2 percent remains one of the lowest in the nation, it is unacceptably high. I urge Congress to come together for the sake of our jobs recovery, and to find a balanced, fiscally responsible approach that maintains the modern investments needed to create jobs in this modern economy.”