RGA Chairman Chris Christie: Republican Governors Are Putting States Back To Work

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Governors Association Chairman Chris Christie issued the following statement concerning the April state unemployment figures released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

“Republican governors are getting the job done and these most recent unemployment figures are proof positive that the pro-jobs, pro-growth, low-tax policies they are championing and implementing in the states are working.

In Florida, a state increasingly friendly to job creators thanks to Governor Rick Scott’s commitment to attracting and supporting business, the unemployment rate has dropped a remarkable five points from 11.2% in November 2010 to 6.2% today, the lowest mark since 2008.

In South Carolina, under Governor Nikki Haley’s pro-growth policies, more people are working now than ever before, and under her leadership, the state’s unemployment rate has plummeted five and a half points to 5.3%, the state’s lowest rate since June 2001. That’s right – 2001!

Michigan is making a comeback thanks to Governor Rick Snyder’s principled leadership. The state’s unemployment rate sunk to 7.4% in April, down over four points since he was elected and the state’s lowest in six years.

In Maine, Governor Paul LePage’s focus on bringing more prosperity to his state has led to a more than two point drop in the unemployment rate, from 8% when he was elected to 5.7% today.

In Pennsylvania, unemployment stood at 8.2% when Governor Corbett took office. Today, it’s down over two points to 5.7%. Governor Corbett has kept his promise to voters to energize Pennsylvania’s economy and put the Commonwealth back on the right track.

Governor John Kasich’s leadership in Ohio has fostered a more a nearly four point drop in the unemployment rate since he was elected, down to 5.7% today. That’s the state’s lowest mark since February 2008. No doubt about it – John Kasich works for Ohio.

In Georgia, the unemployment rate has fallen over three points under Governor Nathan Deal’s steadfast leadership. Today it’s at 7.0%, down from 10.3% when he was elected and the state’s lowest mark since September 2008.

Under Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin keeps on winning.  He made the tough decisions required to turn things around in his state, and it’s paying off. In April, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8%, the lowest the state has seen since 2008.

There is always more work to be done, but today, it is once again clear that Republican governors are getting the job done and achieving meaningful results.”

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