Topeka — There was little change in Kansas’ unemployment situation last month.
February’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent, down from 7.4 percent in January and a decrease from 7.5 percent in February 2010, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.
The seasonally adjusted rate for February was 6.8 percent, unchanged from January, and down from 7.2 percent in February 2010.
The number of government jobs grew slightly while private-sector businesses lost 6,800 jobs over the month, the Labor Department reported.
“The continued decline in private-sector jobs for Kansans is of great concern,” said Labor Secretary Karin Brownlee. “We cannot sustain a situation in which government job growth is greater than private-sector job growth.”
There were 16,331 initial claims for unemployment benefits in February, down from 32,089 initial claims in January and down from 21,498 in February 2010.
There were 234,356 continued claims in February, a decrease from 297,180 in January and down from 316,692 in February 2010.
The unemployment rate for Douglas County was 6.5 percent in February, down from 6.7 percent in January, but an increase from 6.2 percent in February 2010.
Comments
newmath 2 years, 8 months ago
This is confusing. The labor website listed 24,816 initial claims in January. This article states it was 32,089 in January. Did something get revised?
oldvet 2 years, 8 months ago
Well, maybe the state should increase taxes, buy a few businesses, and give counties/cities a bunch of money... that should cure the unemployment picture... right?
Hong_Kong_Phooey 2 years, 8 months ago
As someone looking for work, this just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Apparently the private sector has never heard the old adage that "you have to spend money to make money."
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