Health & Fitness
Economic News Not Promoted in Missouri
The state ranks number one in a category that political and economic development leaders would rather you not know about.
The state received an unwelcomed designation.
Out of only three states that lost a statistically significant number of jobs last month, Missouri placed first on the list by losing 11,800 jobs.
In the other two states cited in the report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday, Washington lost 11,600 and Nevada lost 9,800.
Find out what's happening in St. Petersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The largest month-over-month decrease in jobs occurded in New York, which lost 14,000 jobs. However, the state has a much higher number of people employed, therefore the amount was not considered statistically significant by researchers.
Back here in Missouri, political and economic development leaders continue to promote that the state's unemployment rate has dropped to 8 percent, sitting at the lowest point in three years.
Find out what's happening in St. Petersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After all, it is an election year. Plus, for anyone running for re-election on a job-creation campaign, almost too conveniently, a person must be actively seeking a job to be considered unemployed.
Therefore, when payrolls drop, it is possible for the state's unemployment rate to drop as well.
Unfortunately for the politicians, though, the economic news -- good or bad -- won't stop.
The number of mass layoffs also increased last month, according to another report by the statistical agency released on Wednesday. There were 67 mass layoffs by employers in Missouri, increasing unemployment claims by 6,586, compared to 54 mass layoffs impacting 4,763 in December 2010.
Politicians and economic development leaders will most likely, however, point to another report released on Thursday, showing initial weekly unemployment claims dropped by 3,626 last week.
Missouri was one of 20 states with a decrease of more than 1,000 weekly claims, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationally, unemployment claims increased by 21,000.
Be wary of rosy outlooks from the campaign trail. While it may seem obvious, remember that fewer unemployment claims does not necessarily mean more hiring. Plus, watch those payroll numbers.
By Brian R. Hook, brhook@missourijournal.com, (314) 482-7944
Hook is editor of Missouri Journal, which tracks the economy across the Show-Me State.
For news updates, sign up for a newsletter and follow Missouri Journal on Twitter and Facebook.