Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“In June, Ohio’s job market continued a streak of record-low unemployment, with the unemployment rate declining to 3.4 percent from 3.6 percent, and, for the second month in a row, Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than the national average. With an unchanged labor force participation rate, Ohio’s jobs report shows that Ohioans looking for work are finding jobs.

“The news is not all good. The private sector lost 1,000 jobs in June, mainly in manufacturing. However, an upward revision to the May jobs report shows that 12,300 private-sector jobs were created in May—more than double the originally reported number.

“Ohio’s June jobs report reveals that the first half of 2023 was very good for Ohio workers. Workers continued to enter the job market, driving up labor force participation rates, and importantly, they were able to find jobs. In each of the past three months, Ohio set a new record low in its unemployment rate. And recent tax cuts and reforms to Ohio’s k-12 education system—championed by The Buckeye Institute and passed in the new budget—will help future Ohio workers enjoy the same opportunities that current Ohio workers enjoy today.”

# # #