Ohio Posts Largest Decline in Unemployment Claims

Ohio is reporting the nation’s largest decline in new applications for unemployment benefits, while the government says the number of claims nationwide is mostly unchanged.

That’s seen as evidence that the struggling economy isn’t generating many jobs.

The U.S. Department of Labor said on June 30 that Ohio claims dropped by nearly 2,800 in the week ending June 18. No reason was given for the decline, bigger than in any other state.

The department’s national numbers are more recent and show benefit applications ticked down by 1,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 428,000.

Applications have topped 400,000 for 12 straight weeks. That’s amid hiring cutbacks in the face of high gasoline prices, which have cut into consumer spending.