Archive for Saturday, July 19, 2008
State jobless rate steady at 4.4 %
July 19, 2008
Advertisement
Topeka — Kansas’ unemployment rate held steady at 4.4 percent in June despite fewer workers on the job compared with last year, state officials said Friday.
The Department of Labor’s latest report said there were 4,400 fewer workers in June compared with the same month in 2007. However, six of the state’s 11 industry sectors added jobs over that period.
Government shed the most jobs, as schools and universities started the summer break.
According to an analyst, summer employment declines are typical, but the 2008 drop was larger than usual.
“Although we have seen some slowdown in employment growth in recent months, June’s job numbers reflect a possible anomaly when compared with data from last year,” said labor economist Inayat Noormohmad.
Two sectors adding jobs over the year are professional and businesses services, with 4,800 jobs, and durable goods manufacturing, with 1,300.
Kansas’ unemployment rate was below the nation’s June rate of 5.7 percent. County rates ranged from a high of 7.6 percent in Wyandotte in the Kansas City area to 2.5 percent in Gove in northwest Kansas.
Friday’s jobless report came on the heals of action by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and legislative leaders to curb state spending over the next year. State revenue collections are below what economic forecasters predicted in April by some $61 million.
In June, Sebelius told all state agencies to trim their budgets by up to 2 percent for the fiscal year that began July 1. Legislative leaders followed suit last week, cutting about $600,000 for legislative activities, such as travel, printing and hiring.
The cuts are aimed at keeping the state’s reserve accounts above $100 million for 2009 without prompting deeper cuts or forcing fee and tax increases.
Lower revenue collections have been attributed to rising energy prices, which have slowed business activity and limited consumers’ disposable income, reflected by lower income and sales tax collections through June.
Top ads RSS
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Michelle Obama blends tradition, progress August 30, 2008 · 1 comment
- AP: McCain taps Alaska governor as VP running mate August 29, 2008 · 353 comments
- On the street: What do you think about McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate? August 30, 2008 · 18 comments
- Report on absenteeism infuriates federal workers August 30, 2008 · 5 comments
- Edwards to emerge for September speech August 30, 2008 · 2 comments
- Simons: Democratic Convention tough act for GOP to follow August 30, 2008 · 22 comments
- Blog: Sixth and Wakarusa loses another business August 29, 2008 · 55 comments
- Blog: Free food at Facebook? August 28, 2008 · 1 comment
- McCain’s VP choice seen as a gamble August 30, 2008 · 12 comments
- Jubilant supporters fill Liberty Hall August 29, 2008 · 93 comments
- Weatherwax remembered as great friend, musician August 30, 2008
- Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook August 30, 2008
- Precious medal August 29, 2008
- 3 KU grads ranked as most powerful women August 30, 2008
- Keegan: Still no respect for KU August 30, 2008
- Michelle Obama blends tradition, progress August 30, 2008
- Grieving Hillary backers must regroup August 30, 2008
- Disco demolition promoter apologizes July 13, 2001
- Self to value progress over results August 30, 2008
- Banker-turned-teacher wins Lawrence Horizon Award August 30, 2008
19 July 2008 at 1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
screedposter (Anonymous) says…
Worst economy since Herbert Hoover.
19 July 2008 at 3:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
toe (Anonymous) says…
The loss of jobs was larger than usual because the number of state workers and teachers, all supported by tax dollars, is larger than usual.