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.

“The strength of Ohio’s job market continued to set records as unemployment fell to a new record low of 3.6 percent, down from 3.7 percent. Even better news is that the labor force participation rate surged to 62.1 percent, up from 61.8 percent. With the increase in the national unemployment rate to 3.7 percent, Ohio is now lower than the national average, a rare but positive sign.

“Private-sector businesses added 5,900 workers to their payroll in May, continuing the growth seen in April. And over the past few months, both the household and payroll surveys are telling the same story—Ohio’s job market remains strong.

“Lawmakers should seize this opportunity and send Governor DeWine a pro-growth budget that reduces the tax burden on Ohioans and businesses and improves Ohio’s education system to help train tomorrow’s workforce. With a strong rainy day fund and a large budget surplus, Ohio policymakers should enact bold reforms to ensure Ohio’s prosperity.”

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