Job Creators Network Statement on February Jobs Report

Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Network, released the following statement on the February jobs report, which showed 92,000 jobs lost, the unemployment rate rising to 4.4%, and the labor force participation rate falling to 62.0%:

“Job loss in February is due to a number of factors that don’t reflect the strength of the underlying small business economy. First, the worst winter storm since 1996 paralyzed the Northeast, trapping people in their homes, shutting down job sites, and closing retail doors. Second, widespread strike activity, as noted by the BLS, resulted in declining healthcare jobs, which have long been a major employment creation driver. Third, the bloated federal workforce was further cut, freeing up resources for the private economy. Since President Trump took office, he has cut 350,000 government jobs — a remarkable achievement. Finally, AI continues to depress hiring in white-collar industries (though small businesses are taking advantage of it to be more productive).

“In positive news, real wages continue to rise, a stark contrast to the Biden administration when standards of living declined month after month. Tax cuts, low inflation, and deregulation will set the economy up for a strong 2026 as the spring hiring season begins.”