Unemployment decreases to 4.2%, 26,000 jobs added 

Lansing, MI — Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the release of the latest economic numbers showing Michigan’s economy added 26,000 jobs and unemployment fell to 4.2% in July. Over the last 12 months, the state has added 133,000 jobs and the unemployment rate has decreased by 2.0 percentage points, from 6.2% to 4.2%. 

“Michigan is on the move. Thanks to our hardworking people and innovative small businesses, our economy continues to add jobs at a strong pace and unemployment is low. We will keep building on our growth, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families.   

“In July, I signed my fourth balanced, bipartisan budget that delivers on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to Michiganders. The fiscally responsible budget brings our rainy-day fund to an all-time high of $1.6 billion, pays down billions in debt, and does not raise taxes by a dime. It makes critical investments in economic development, key projects, and our workforce. 

“I will work with anyone to ensure that working families have enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table. We must use the billions in state resources we still have on the table to offer real relief right now. I have proposed sending working families $500 inflation relief rebate checks, rolling back the retirement tax on our seniors saving them $1,000 a year, tripling a tax credit to deliver a $3,000 tax refund to 730,000 families, and suspending the states sales tax on gas and school supplies to lower costs for Michiganders.  

“I know we can work together to grow our economy and lower costs. Let’s get it done.” 

Governor Whitmer’s Proposals to Cut Taxes, Lower Costs 

Governor Whitmer proposed rolling back the retirement tax on our seniors, putting an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of half a million Michiganders who worked hard and played by the rules. She also proposed tripling the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, which would put a combined $3,000 tax refund in the pockets of 730,000 working families. The governor has signed bipartisan legislation repealing the tampon tax and cut personal property taxes for small business owners. ?  

The governor has called for sending $500 inflation relief rebate checks to working families as they face rising prices on everyday expenses. To save drivers money at the pump, Governor Whitmer has called for a temporary pause on the state and federal sales tax on fuel. To save families money heading into the school year, she has a plan to temporarily suspend the sales tax on school supplies. Sending $500 inflation relief checks and temporarily suspending the sales tax on gas and school supplies would save families money right now. 

Governor Whitmer’s Fiscally Responsible Leadership 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has signed four balanced, bipartisan budgets. She has paid down nearly $14 billion in debt without raising taxes on working families by a dime, cut taxes for small business owners, and enacted economic development legislation empowering the state to compete for billions in investment and tens of thousands of jobs. Last month, the state also received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch, its first in nearly 10 years, indicating strong economic growth. 

Governor Whitmer’s Investments in Manufacturing & Energy 

Since the governor took office, Michigan has announced 25,000 good-paying auto jobs, including 10,000 in 2022 alone. According to Bloomberg, Michigan is in the midst of a “manufacturing boom,” and is the #1 state for energy job creation.