State Loses 17,900 in June; Long Thompson Calls for New Approach

Press Release

STATE LOSES 17,900 JOBS IN JUNE; LONG THOMPSON CALLS FOR NEW APPROACH

Indiana lost 17,900 jobs from May to June; 43,800 from June 2007

Indiana's struggling economy took another hit today as the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the state lost 17,900 more jobs in June.

Indiana's unemployment rate jumped from 5.3 percent in May to 5.8 percent in June, the largest rate increase in the nation. The report also showed that Indiana had 43,800 fewer jobs compared to June of 2007.

"These figures are further proof that despite what Governor Daniels would have us believe, our economy has some serious challenges," said Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson. "Under his watch Indiana consistently leads in all the categories no one should want to lead: mortgage foreclosures; personal bankruptcies; low wage levels and high unemployment."

"I grew up in a working class family. My own mother lost her job when it was shipped to Mexico. I know what the loss of a job does to a family and to a community - it's devastating," added Long Thompson. "However, I am convinced that with the right policies and right leadership we can re-grow this economy and put our families back on stable ground."

The economic report comes on the heels of another major blow to Indiana's economy. Just yesterday Monaco Coach Corp., an RV manufacturer in Elkhart County, announced it is shutting down three factories and cutting 1,400 jobs.

"To get this economy turned around, the first thing we need is leadership that recognizes there is a problem. Our families and businesses are suffering, and from his rhetoric it is clear that Mitch Daniels simply doesn't get it," added Dennie Oxley, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. "Since last year nearly 44,000 Hoosiers have lost their jobs, and acting as if those workers and their families aren't hurting is unacceptable."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Indiana's economy has been in steady decline for more than a year. It found that Indiana's economy virtually stalled in 2007, growing by just 0.3 percent. Only seven states performed worse.

"Dennie Oxley and I are committed to rebuilding this economy from the ground up," said Long Thompson, who has a M.B.A. and PhD in business from Indiana University. "We will do that by engaging every community and every citizen across the state - and we will do that by setting new priorities and taking a totally new approach to keeping, growing and attracting jobs in Indiana."

Earlier this year, Long Thompson and Oxley announced their plan for rebuilding Indiana's economy. Specifically, they will work to restructure the state's tax code to make Indiana more competitive and able to retain good-paying jobs. Their proposals center on adopting broad policy that benefit all 92 counties. In addition, their plan calls for placing specific, performance-based incentives into the tax structure to help grow jobs and change state laws to allow all individuals and businesses who chose to pool together to buy health insurance in bulk.

The Democratic candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor have also proposed their "Economic Tiers" program to direct the state's resources to struggling counties. Under the plan, each of the state's 92 counties would be categorized into three different tiers with the state's economic development dollars delegated accordingly. The tiers would be updated regularly and determined by several factors, including the county's unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita.

Known for her ability to get things done, Jill Long Thompson is an accomplished public servant. She has served as a city councilor, a Congresswoman and as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture. Long Thompson grew up on her family's farm in rural Whitley County and was the first in her family to go to college. She received her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. in business from Indiana University. A farmer and college professor by trade, Long Thompson lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, on their farm in Marshall County.

Dennie Oxley is a 10-year veteran of the state legislature, currently serving as the Majority Whip in the Indiana House of Representatives. A former high school math teacher, school administrator and businessman, Oxley brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the team. Oxley is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. A lifelong resident of English, a small community in Crawford County, he resides there with his wife, Jayme, and their two young daughters.

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