Dear Friends,

I wanted to share some positive news with you. Last month, we added another 11,200 jobs to Maryland payrolls – the third straight month of job gains as we continue to outpace the rest of the nation through this recovery.

Since February, we've added nearly 38,000 jobs in Maryland, a rate that is more than double the national growth rate. And unemployment in our state dropped to 7.2 percent, about 25 percent lower than the national rate last month and the lowest rate we've seen in almost a year.

Building on our progress these last four months, Maryland created thousands of jobs particularly in segments of the economy hit hardest by the national recession. While Maryland's job growth continues to outpace the national rate, there is still more work to do in order to come through this recession stronger and more quickly than other states.

There is no government program that is as important or as empowering to a family as a job. And there is no place more powerful than a family home. We will continue to focus on creating jobs, saving jobs, and improving the conditions under which our businesses, large and small, can create and save jobs.

Martin O'Malley
Governor