STATE OF THE STATE Jobs, economy expected to be focus of Taft speech
No programs or proposals were mentioned in advance.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ways to create jobs and attract new businesses to offset the state's manufacturing decline will be the focal points of Gov. Bob Taft's sixth State of the State address Wednesday.
Taft spokesman Orest Holubec identified the speech's dominant theme as, "Jobs, the No. 1 issue in the state right now."
In previous years, Taft used the speech to talk about sweeping new programs, major spending proposals and other projects possible because of the state's budget surpluses.
Economy
But this year, Taft is expected to deliver a matter-of-fact speech about rehabilitating the state's economy.
The state's unemployment rate reached 6 percent in December, up from 5.6 percent a year ago, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Friday. The department said 838,400 workers had manufacturing jobs in December, down 33,800 from a year ago.
"Manufacturing has been hit hard," Holubec said. "We have seen a national recovery, but we have yet to feel it in Ohio. There are things we can do to improve our jobs climate and make Ohio more attractive to companies looking to expand in the state or to locate here.
Holubec declined to cite specific programs or proposals Taft will announce to the joint session of the Legislature in House chambers at the statehouse.
Taft also is expected to expand upon points he addressed in a speech to a manufacturing summit last month.
In that appearance, Taft stressed the importance of lawsuit reform to limit litigation that can bankrupt businesses.
He also discussed promoting research to attract jobs in the technology sector, enhancing small business development and the economic benefit of 9,000 construction jobs created by the state's aggressive highway- and school-construction programs.