Gov. Bob McDonnell continues his rosy news rollout with the claim that nearly 72,000 jobs have been created in Virginia in his first half-year on the job.
McDonnell and his "jobs czar," Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, will announce at a Thursday morning news conference that 71,500 new jobs have been created in the state since February.
McDonnell was sworn in Jan. 16.
McDonnell spokesman J. Tucker Martin says it's a net figure that accounts for jobs also lost during that time, particularly from budget cuts by state and local governments.
On Wednesday, McDonnell announced a surprise state budget surplus of at least $220 million just six months after an estimated $1.8 billion shortfall.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
