U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor released its state-by-state jobs report for the month of June. The report shows that since June of 2004, New Jersey has added nearly 53,000 jobs. In addition, New Jersey’s unemployment has dropped dramatically since June of 2004 – when it stood at 4.8 – to 4 percent. 

    “Today’s report is good news for families and jobs seekers in both New Jersey and the United States,” said Smith, who represents New Jersey’s Fourth District. “Our strategy of tax relief and market-based solutions is clearly paying dividends and the current economic environment, which fosters expansion and job creation, reflects that.”

    According to today’s report, the Northeast region of the country continues to have the lowest unemployment rate at 4.7 percent. New Jersey in particular reports one of the highest declines in jobless rates over the previous year. 

    In addition to today’s jobs report, the June payroll report showed that 146,000 jobs were created last month, while the unemployment rate (as calculated by the Household Report) in the United States fell to 5.0 percent – the lowest since September 2001 and well down from its peak of 6.3 percent in June of 2003. 

    The American economy has rebounded from the attacks of September 11th, corporate scandals, and the bursting of the tech bubble. With continued job growth, record homeownership rates, and shrinking budget deficits, our economy continues to get stronger.