Job growth spurts

The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects strong job growth in February - 236,000, far better than estimates, and a drop in unemployment rate to 7.7%, the lowest point since December of 2008.

How not to argue against raising the minimum wage

One opponent of raising the minimum wage makes a dated argument that is very persuasive in an unintended way.

Job growth continues

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report is out. Unemployment creeps up, but job growth steady. Economy adds 157,000 jobs. The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for November was revised from +161,000 to +247,000, and the change for December was revised from +155,000 to +196,000.

Modest job growth continues in December

The January jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates 155,000 jobs were created in December. Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8%.

Respect, find out what it means to ee's

This guy nails it. All employees want self respect, and a good boss/leader knows how to give it and knows how *not* to take it away.

Immigration change of heart?

The Republican party seems to have awakened to addressing a reality based immigration policy. It took the crushing reality of an electorate increasingly unfavorable to hard line positions on immigration, but moderation on the issue now seems positively to warn the hearts of reasonable Republicans. Many economists have suggested immigration reform is good for the economy, if not necessary to ensure labor is available to fill the positions which will be created in the 21st century.

Public sector job decline

Well, more job truthifying, Paul Krugman, informs Sen. Rand Paul that public sector jobs have declined since Obama took office.  In disbelief Sen. Paul retorts "the growth of government is enormous under President Obama." No, really, government employment is smaller now than before President Obama took office. That a United States senator is surprised at this important fact is discomforting. Krugmsn provides a dramatic chart here.

Middling jobs growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported net job growth in August was shy of 100,000. Private sector jobs expanded by 103,000 and public sector jobs declined by 7,000. THe unemployment rate dropped slightly to 8.1%.

Jobs, jobs, politics and lies

The jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is due out Friday. It will likely have a higher than usual effect upon the political scene. A better than expected number good for the President, and a worse than expected number better for Gov. Romney. The jobs issue is a major one for the 2012 campaign. Talking Points Memo does a good job of "truthifying" the debate.

Whose been in office when the jobs grew?

Bloomberg reports a "who knew" moment. Since 1960, private sector job growth when Democrats resided in the White House almost doubles the growth occurring when Republicans resided there. This despite the republicans holding the presidency 5 years longer than Democrats. The average number of jobs created during a Democrat's residency is 150,000, compared to 71,000 for Republicans.

Decline with nuance

While it is true that manufacturing jobs as a percentage of total employment has been declining for a long time, in absolute numbers, the decline began relatively recently.

Jobs grow in February

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its report on February jobs creation today. The nonfarm payroll employment added a net gain of 227,000  jobs in Frebruary. The unemployment rate remained at 8.3% due to more persons reentering the workforce. December's report also was revised upward from +203,000 to +223,000, and the change for January was revised upward from +243,000 to +284,000.

Louisiana job growth

Good news on state and local unemployment and job creation. The Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) reported that the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 6.8% in December. Thats down from 7.7% in December 2010. The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced December marked the 15th consecutive month the state added private sector jobs. Statewide job growth in 2011 was 48,300.

Jobs and Job Creators

Job creation in 2011 stacks up favorably to job creation since 2001. From ThinkProgress:

• Since the last SOTU, the economy has created 1.9 million private sector jobs. 
• Private sector job creation under Obama in 2011 was larger than seven out of the eight years Bush was president. 

Economy gains 200,000 jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its report on December jobs creation today. The nonfarm payroll employment added a net gain of 200,000 jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 8.5% (from 8.7% in November).

A contrary view

CCH WorkDay Blog reviews a compendium of reports and studies challenging the notion that public sector employees are huge contributors to the country's economic problems.

Unemployment drops to 8.6%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) unemployment report released today indicates 120,000 jobs were added last month. The unemployment rate dropped also to 8.6%. BLS also revised upward the job growth in October by 72,000 jobs. This is the 4th month in a row the report as revised job growth upward over the initial estimate.

Unemployment trends down slightly

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) October jobs report reflects unemployment slipped to 9.0% down from 9.1 the previous month. Private sector employment grew by 104,000 and government employment losses (24,000) partially offset the private sector gains

National Economy grows to tread water state

In a mild surprise third quarter growth in the U.S. GDP reached 2.5%, almost doubling second quarter growth, according to the Commerce Department. In Louisiana job growth continues with the New Orleans area adding almost 11,000 jobs between September 2010 and September 2011. The metro area unemployment rate in September was 6.9%.

Down and down more

One reason consumers feel so pessimistic may be that income levels have declined more since the recession ended than during the period of recession. This from a study by two former census officials

During the recession, real median annual household income fell by 3.2 percent, from $55,309 in December 2007 to $53,518 in June 2009. During the economic recovery, real median annual household income fell by an additional 6.7 percent, from $53,518 in June 2009 to $49,909 in June 2011.