The U.S. Department of Labor released its most recent unemployment statistics for May 2014, and the Twin Cities metro region topped the list. The region holds a 4 percent unemployment rate, which is the lowest of any large metro area in the nation.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area has seen a recent uptake in the economy, mostly due to diversification of the job market. Unlike cities such as Detroit, whose economic focus is based on one leading industry, the Twin Cities have no fewer than five competing top industries: healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, and retail. Companies such as Target, 3M, Medtronic, General Mills, UnitedHealth Group, Cargill, and U.S. Bank, that all call the Twin Cities home, have helped create a unique and thriving job market to Minnesota.

Many positive trends in the Twin Cities are largely thanks to Governor Mark Dayton and the DFL-controlled Legislature. These leaders have created incentives, like the Angel Tax Credit, to draw companies to the state, and also invested in creating jobs for middle-class Minnesotans.

This legislative session, Gov. Dayton signed a $1.2 billion bonding bill that will create an estimated 30,000 jobs.

The same trends cannot be said for our neighbors in Wisconsin, who, under the governance of Republican-favorite Scott Walker, has faltered in creating jobs. Subsequently, Wisconsin is now ranked 39th in the nation in terms of economic growth.

If it were up to Jeff Johnson, Minnesota’s Republican endorsed candidate for governor, he would go “all Scott Walker” on our state. That can only promise bad news for Minnesota’s economy, workers, and middle class.

Stripping our state of the progress made under Gov. Dayton’s administration would be a mistake, especially given our success getting back on track.