State saw second largest decrease in employment in the nation, unemployment rate ticks up to 5.0%

INDIANAPOLIS – Mike Pence has said numerous times that Indiana’s economy is “at its peak” – he even wrote an op-ed about it. However, last Friday the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Indiana experienced the second largest over the month decrease in employment in the nation in March, losing 9,000 jobs across the state. As the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 5.0% and with Indiana ranked 38^th in the nation for per capita income – is Mike Pence’s political spin really based in reality?

“Mike Pence said he will run on his record – and we welcome that discussion as it is evident Hoosiers aren’t buying into the governor’s economic snapshot. In fact, with Indiana ranking 38^th in per capita income and the state losing 9,000 jobs just this last month, Hoosiers know they are falling behind the rest of the nation,” said John Zody, Chairman. “The fact is, Mike Pence’s economic policies consist of the embarrassing and unnecessary RFRA – which threw the state into a $250 million panic – and repealing the common construction wage law that was designed to protect the wages of skilled Hoosier workers. Hoosiers do not feel like they are ‘at their peak’ and it’s why they want a governor that will provide real leadership and a clear path forward on the economy, not more spin. That leader is John Gregg.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: INDIANA IS FALLING BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION

Mike Pence’s RFRA

• Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in a closed door ceremony [FOX 59, 3.26.15], throwing Indiana into a $250 million economic panic. – [The Advocate, 7.10.15]

Overall State Economy

• Indiana’s economy grew at a sluggish .4% rate in 2014. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana’s economy grew .5% or less three of last four years. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana ranks LAST in economic growth in the Midwest. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Per Capita Income: Indiana ranks 38^th in per capita income, down from 33^rd in 2004. – [NWI Times, 03.2016]
• Median Incomes: Wages have dropped from $53,500 in 2000 to $46,900 in 2013. – [U.S. Census]
• Hoosiers make 86 cents for every one American dollar earned. – [Indianapolis Star, 6.1.15]
• ndiana ranks 46^th in quality of life, 42^nd in workforce. – [CNBC]
• About two thirds of minimum wage workers in Indiana are women. – [Forbes, 7, 2015]
• Hoosier women make 75 cents for every dollar a man makes. – [AAUW, 2015]
• African American households earn on average $21,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]
• Hispanic households make $15,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]

Pence Repeals Common Construction Wage Law

• Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans repealed the common construction wage laws, allowing union worker wages to go down and the expanding wage gap continues to grow in our state. – [NWI Times, 5.6.15]

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