Iowa Governor Culver on May 2009 Unemployment Rate

June 19, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver responded to the latest unemployment figures released today. Iowa Workforce Development announced that the state’s unemployment rate for May was 5.8%, up from 5.1% in April.

Governor Culver’s Statement:

"Iowa's latest unemployment figures are one more sign of the impact the national economic recession is having on our state. Throughout this recession, I have directed Iowa Workforce Development to do everything possible to help Iowans who lose their jobs. And I am proud that Iowa was the first state in the nation to make improvements, under President Obama’s federal recovery program, to our unemployment insurance program to provide people with extra help and support in order to find new jobs.

“At the same time, Iowa remains in a stronger financial position than most states in the nation. We have more than $440 million in cash reserves and a triple-A bond rating. Our state’s economy is the 8th fastest-growing in the nation and our capitol city is among the country’s fastest growing metropolitans. And of the 42 states reporting unemployment figures today, only 5 have a lower rate than Iowa.

“As Governor, I am committed to moving quickly and aggressively to make the best use of both federal recovery funds as well as the I-JOBS program, our $830 million initiative to improve our state’s infrastructure. These programs will create and retain good jobs all across our state. We're going to use our financial strength to our advantage, roll up our sleeves and put Iowans back to work."

Source: Iowa Governor