Jobless rate in Ohio declines as US unemployment rises

June 16, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped again in May to its lowest level in years, despite concern voiced earlier in the month by Gov. John Kasich after a rise in the national rate.

Last month’s rate was 7.3 percent, down from 7.4 percent in April and 8.8 percent a year ago. A total of 426,000 Ohioans remained on the unemployment rolls last month, down from 431,000 in April, according to statistics compiled by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The state’s nonfarm work force increased about 19,600.

The results marked the tenth-consecutive month of decline, with the May rate the lowest it’s been since October 2008.

The state news came more than a week after federal officials announced a slight uptick in the national unemployment rate, rising to 8.2 percent last month from 8.1 percent in April. Total nonfarm payroll employment for the entire nation rose by about 69,000 jobs.

Kasich voiced concern after the national rate was announced. He continued to voice some caution on Friday.

“It’s so encouraging that Ohioans are getting back to work,” Kasich said in a released statement. “Things are heading in the right direction, and that’s great to see, but we’re far from being out of the woods. Headwinds from Washington don’t help, and I remain concerned about our future progress. The best thing that can happen is for Ohio to continue pursuing the jobs-friendly policies that are tearing down barriers to job creation and for Washington to learn from our progress.”

State business leaders credited Kasich and Statehouse Republicans for the unemployment decline. And Andrew Doehrel, president and chief executive officer of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, said Ohio’s results stand in contrast to national trends.

“We’re not out of the woods and we’re certainly not where we want to be, but we’re obviously moving in the right direction,” he told reporters during a conference call. “It’s because the governor and the work of the Ohio Legislature is leading us in the right direction.”

But Democrats said the turnaround began before Kasich took office, and the unemployment results are because of President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress, who ensured the economic vitality of the automobile industry.