Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.4% in May, down from 7.5% in April, according to a report from the state Department of Labor and Industry today.
Overall, the seasonally adjusted number of nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania dropped 14,200 in May, at 5,678,000.
The Keystone Research Center will release a more detailed analysis of the May jobs report on Friday, but for now here is a press statement that I put out on today’s report.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.4% in May, down from 7.5% in April, according to a report from the state Department of Labor and Industry today.
Overall, the seasonally adjusted number of nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania dropped 14,200 in May, at 5,678,000.
The Keystone Research Center will release a more detailed analysis of the May jobs report on Friday, but for now here is a press statement that I put out on today’s report.
“The May jobs report raises serious concerns that a renewed weakness in the national economy is being felt here in Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania lost more than 14,000 jobs in May. While we should be cautious in any interpretation of monthly job numbers, the disappointing state report comes on the heels of a weak national jobs report for May. With unemployment still high and economic growth slow going, the economic climate in Pennsylvania is translating into severe hardship for tens of thousands of unemployed and underemployed workers across the state.
“In light of the fragile recovery, federal policymakers should not risk destabilizing the economy further by delaying a vote to increase the federal debt ceiling.
“And as the state budget process nears the finish line, lawmakers should tap all available revenues to limit cuts that will further slow down the economy and add more teachers, social workers and health care providers to the ranks of the unemployed.”