December Jobs Report Shows non-Farm Payroll created 200,000 New Jobs

The economy create 200,000 jobs in December and lowered the unemployment rate from 8.7% to 8.5%. One can slice and dice this a lot. December is a particularly odd month for employment due to the Christmas season and temporary hiring. But it is fair to say the economy is better off today than it was 3 years ago.

What is open for discussion, is whether the economy is improving despite the federal govt, or because of it. And -- whether we might have lowered unemployment much faster had the first focus been on the economy instead of passing the healthcare bill. But no doubt the President will be crowing about this improvement in job creation. Today's employment report now makes Feb and March the more important to see if this a trend.

Disappointing Jobs Report Shows Loss of 131,000 Jobs in July, Leaving Unemployment Rate 9.5%

FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- JULY 2010


Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 131,000 in July, and the unem-
ployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics reported today. Federal government employment fell, as 143,000 temporary
workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector
payroll employment edged up by 71,000.

Household Survey Data

Both the number of unemployed persons, at 14.6 million, and the unemployment
rate, at 9.5 percent, were unchanged in July. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for adult men (9.7 per-
cent), adult women (7.9 percent), teenagers (26.1 percent), whites (8.6 per-
cent), blacks (15.6 percent), and Hispanics (12.1 percent) showed little or no
change in July. The jobless rate for Asians was 8.2 percent, not seasonally
adjusted. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

In July, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and
over) was little changed at 6.6 million. These individuals made up 44.9 per-
cent of unemployed persons. (See table A-12.)

The civilian labor force participation rate (64.6 percent) and the employment-
population ratio (58.4 percent) were essentially unchanged in July; however,
these measures have declined by 0.6 percentage point and 0.4 point, respec-
tively, since April. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (sometimes re-
ferred to as involuntary part-time workers) was essentially unchanged over
the month at 8.5 million but has declined by 623,000 since April. These in-
dividuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or
because they were unable to find a full-time job. (See table A-8.)

About 2.6 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force in July,
an increase of 340,000 from a year earlier. (The data are not seasonally ad-
justed.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were avail-
able for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They
were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the
4 weeks preceding the survey. (See table A-16.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 1.2 million discouraged workers
in July, up by 389,000 from a year earlier. (The data are not seasonally ad-
justed.) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because
they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.4 million persons
marginally attached to the labor force had not searched for work in the 4 weeks
preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsi-
bilities. (See table A-16.)

Establishment Survey Data

Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 131,000 in July, reflecting the
departure of 143,000 temporary Census 2010 workers from federal government pay-
rolls. Total private employment edged up over the month (+71,000). Thus far this
year, private sector employment has increased by 630,000, with about two-thirds
of the gain occurring in March and April. (See table B-1.)

Manufacturing employment increased by 36,000 over the month. Motor vehicles and
parts had fewer seasonal layoffs than normal for July, contributing to a season-
ally adjusted employment increase of 21,000. The industry had added 32,000 jobs
in the first 6 months of the year. In July, employment in fabricated metals rose
by 9,000. Manufacturing employment has expanded by 183,000 since December 2009.

Health care added 27,000 jobs in July. Over the past 12 months, health care em-
ployment has risen by 231,000.

In July, employment in transportation and warehousing edged up by 12,000. Since
a recent low in February, transportation and warehousing has added 56,000 jobs.

Mining employment rose by 7,000 in July, with the gain concentrated in support
activities for mining. Mining has added 63,000 jobs since October 2009.

Employment in professional and business services was little changed (-13,000)
in July. The number of jobs in temporary help services showed little movement
(-6,000) over the month.

Employment in financial activities continued to trend down in July, with a
decline of 17,000. So far this year, monthly job losses in the industry have
averaged 12,000, compared with an average monthly job loss of 29,000 for all
of 2009.

Construction employment changed little (-11,000) in July; 10,000 construction
workers were off payrolls due to strike activity.

Employment in other private-sector industries, including wholesale trade, re-
tail trade, information, and leisure and hospitality showed little change in
July.

Government employment fell by 202,000 in July, largely reflecting the loss of
143,000 temporary workers hired for Census 2010. Employment in both state and
local governments edged down over the month.

In July, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls
increased by 0.1 hour to 34.2 hours. The manufacturing workweek for all em-
ployees increased by 0.1 hour to 40.1 hours, following a decrease of 0.5 hour
in June. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on
private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 33.5 hours in July.

Statement by White House Economic Advisor, Christina Romer on the March Jobs Report

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2010


Statement by Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer on the Employment Situation in March

Today’s employment report shows continued signs of gradual labor market healing. Payroll employment rose significantly in March, and the unemployment rate remained constant despite a substantial increase in the labor force.

Payroll employment increased 162,000. Even after adjusting for the 48,000 temporary Census workers hired and a rebound effect from the February snowstorms, this number suggests an increase in underlying payroll employment. Moreover, revised estimates now show a small job gain in January and a smaller job loss in February than previously reported. As a result, for the first quarter of 2010 as a whole, job growth averaged 54,000 per month. This is a dramatic change from the first quarter of 2009, when average job loss was 753,000 per month.

The unemployment rate remained constant at 9.7 percent. This stability reflects roughly proportional rises in the labor force and employment, as measured by the household survey. This pattern of rising labor force and household employment has been repeated in each of the last three months. Indeed, according to the household survey, the labor force has increased by 1.1 million since December 2009 and employment has increased by 1.4 million.[1]

At the same time that we welcome today’s encouraging labor market news, it is obvious that the American labor market remains severely distressed. More than eight million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the recession in December 2007. It will take sustained, robust employment growth to bring the unemployment rate down. Further targeted actions to spur private sector job creation are critically needed to ensure a more rapid, widespread recovery.


While this is the most positive jobs report we have had in three years, there will likely be bumps in the road ahead. The monthly employment and unemployment numbers are volatile and subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report, positive or negative. It is essential that we continue our efforts to move in the right direction and generate steady, strong job gains.

_________________

[1] The reported numbers are adjusted to remove the impact of revised population controls that the Bureau of Labor Statistics introduced in January 2010. Without this adjustment the labor force increased by 851,000 and employment increased by 1.11 million.





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[1] The reported numbers are adjusted to remove the impact of revised population controls that the Bureau of Labor Statistics introduced in January 2010. Without this adjustment the labor force increased by 851,000 and employment increased by 1.11 million.

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Remarks of President Obama on Signing the HIRE Act, aka the Jobs Bill

Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery

On Signing the HIRE Act [JOBS BILL]

Good morning. In a few moments, I’ll sign what’s called the HIRE Act – a jobs bill that will encourage businesses to hire and help put Americans back to work. Before I do, I’d like to say a few words about what this jobs bill will mean for workers, businesses, and America’s economic recovery.

There are a number of ways to look at an economic recovery. Through the eyes of economists, you look at the different stages of recovery. You look at whether an economy has begun to grow. At whether businesses have begun to hire temporary workers or increase the hours of existing workers. At whether businesses, small and large, have begun to hire full-time employees again.

That’s how economists measure a recovery – and by those measures, we are beginning to move in the right direction. But through the eyes of most Americans, recovery is about something more fundamental: Do I have a decent job? Can I provide for my family? Do I feel a sense of financial security?

The great recession took a terrible toll on the middle class, and on our economy as a whole. For every one of the over 8 million people who lost a job in recent years, there’s a story of struggle; of a family forced to choose between paying the electric bill, or the car insurance, or a daughter’s college tuition; of vacations, weddings, and retirements postponed.

But here’s the good news: a consensus is forming that, partly because of the necessary – and often unpopular – measures we took over the past year, our economy is growing again and we may soon be adding jobs instead of losing them. The jobs bill I’m signing today is intended to help accelerate this process.

I’m signing it, mindful, as I’ve said before, that the solution to our economic problems won’t come from government alone. Government can’t create all of the jobs we need or repair all of the damage done by this recession.

But what we can do is help promote a strong, dynamic private sector – the true engine of job-creation in this country. We can help provide an impetus for America’s businesses to start hiring again. We can nurture the conditions that allow companies to succeed and grow.

That’s exactly what this jobs bill will help us do. Now, make no mistake: while this jobs bill is absolutely necessary, it is by no means enough. There is a lot more we need to do to spur hiring in the private sector and bring about a full economic recovery – from helping creditworthy small businesses get the loans they need to expand, to offering incentives to make homes and businesses more energy-efficient, to investing in infrastructure so we can put Americans to work doing the work America needs done.

Nevertheless, this jobs bill will make a difference in several important ways. First, we’ll forgive payroll taxes for businesses that hire someone who’s been out of work for at least two months – a tax benefit that will apply to unemployed workers hired between last month and the end of this year. This tax cut says to employers: if you hire a worker who’s unemployed, you won’t have to pay payroll taxes on that worker for the rest of the year. And businesses that move quickly to hire today will get a bigger tax credit than businesses that wait until later this year.

This tax cut will be particularly helpful for small business owners. Many of them are on the fence right now about whether to bring on that extra worker or two, or whether to hire anyone at all. This jobs bill should help make their decision that much easier. By the way, I’d also note that part of what health insurance reform would do is provide tax credits to over 4 million small businesses so they don’t have to choose between hiring workers and offering coverage.

Second, this jobs bill encourages smaller businesses to grow and hire by permitting them to write off investments they make in equipment this year. These kinds of expenses typically take years to depreciate, but under this law, businesses will be able to invest up to $250,000 – in say, factory equipment – and write it off right away. Put simply, we’ll give businesses an incentive to invest in their own future – and to do it today.

Third, we’ll reform municipal bonds to encourage job-creation by expanding investment in schools and clean energy projects. Say a town wants to put people to work rebuilding a crumbling elementary school or putting up wind turbines. With this law, we’ll make it easier for them to raise the money they need to do that by hewing to the model of what are called Build America Bonds – one of the most successful programs in the Recovery Act. We’ll give Americans a better chance to invest in the future of their communities and of our country. Finally, this jobs bill will maintain crucial investments in our roads and bridges as we head into the spring and summer months, when construction jobs are picking up.

I want to commend all of those Members of Congress whose leadership made this bill possible, many of whom are with us today. I’m also gratified that over a dozen Republicans agreed that the need for this jobs bill was urgent, and that they were willing to break out of the partisan morass in Washington to help us take this forward-step for the American people. I hope it is a prelude to further cooperation in the days and months to come, as we continue the work of digging out of this recession and rebuilding our economy in a way that works for all Americans.

After all, the jobs bill I’m signing today – and our broader efforts to achieve a recovery – aren’t about politics. They’re not about Democrat versus Republican. This isn’t some game. They’re about the people in this country who are out of work and looking for a job; they’re about all of the Americans – of every race, region, and age – who’ve shared their stories with me.

The single mother who told me she’s filled out hundreds of job applications and been on dozens of interviews, but still hasn’t found a job. The father whose son told me he started working when he was a teenager, and recently found himself out of a job for the first time in his adult life. The children who write me, worried about their mothers, worried about their fathers, worried about what the future holds for their families.

That’s who I’m thinking about every morning when I enter the Oval Office. That’s who I’m signing this bill for. And that’s who I’ll continue fighting for so long as I have the privilege of serving as President. So, with that, let me sign this bill.



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Jobs Lost in February Are Fewer Than Expected

From the Wall Street Journal

The U.S. economy shed 36,000 jobs in February, fewer than expected. The unemployment rate, which is calculated using a different household survey, remained at 9.7%.

Employment fell in construction and information, while temporary-help services added jobs. The number of workers on government payroll fell by 18,000, while those on federal payroll were up 7,000.

Congress Approves Extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Through February

From the Illinois Department of Employment Security

CHICAGO – Congress passed and the President signed into law a two-month extension of unemployment insurance benefits. Without the extension, up to 10,000 Illinois workers each week would have exhausted their unemployment benefits starting January 2, 2010, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said today. The action delays the beginning of program exhaustions until the end of February.

Illinois workers on the verge of exhausting benefits need not contact IDES offices to apply for this extension. Eligibility automatically will be determined. Should there be a question about eligibility, the IDES will contact those claimants directly.

Unemployment insurance is a federal/state program. Each state creates laws to administer the program at its discretion within specific federal parameters. Since 2008, Congress, with the leadership of Presidents Bush and Obama, temporarily authorized additional unemployment assistance to support the unemployed as well as the communities in which they reside. Without this latest extension, the additional benefits would have begun to sunset at the end of December 2009.

Contributions by Illinois businesses are set by state law and fund the first 26 weeks of unemployment insurance. Illinois also has leveraged more than $1.8 billion in federal funds to pay benefits past the initial 26 weeks.

Unemployment insurance was never intended to replace an individual’s income. It always was intended to provide financial assistance to an individual, and as a result, businesses that the individual patronizes, during challenging economic conditions. Benefit amounts are set by state law. The average weekly Illinois benefit payment is about $315. The maximum weekly amount is $534.

The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate for November is 10 percent. The same November rate for Illinois is 10.9 percent. Unemployment rates have not been at these levels since 1983. The unemployment rate is not the same measurement as those collecting unemployment benefits. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment, regardless if they are eligible for unemployment insurance. Workers collecting unemployment benefits are counted separately. Therefore, a person who exhausts unemployment insurance benefits or is ineligible for unemployment insurance would still be reflected in the unemployment rate if they are seeking employment.

Durbin Remarks on Unemployment Insurance Extension

From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
October 27, 2009

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the United States Senate today about the need to help families that are still searching for work by extending unemployment insurance. Without an extension of unemployment insurance this week, 200,000 American families will be in a position of not being able to put food on the table – 20,000 of those families live in Illinois.

“We have tried – more than once – to bring to the Senate floor a bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits for Americans who are still out of work and who need a little help to pay their bills,” said Durbin. “This should not be a partisan issue. The unemployment rate is close to 10% nationally. In many areas of the country and sectors of employment, the rate is much higher. Each day that goes by, more people are exhausting their benefits. I hear from them every day.”

National Recession Pushes Illinois Unemployment Higher

From the Illinois Department of Employment Security

CHICAGO – The Illinois seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for April is 9.4 percent, an increase of +0.4 percent over March’s revised rate, according to figures released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Total non-farm payroll declined by -23,100 jobs in April. Compared to one year ago, employers reduced payroll by -255,400. In April, the number of unemployed people in the state increased +24,500 to reach 619,500, the highest level since August 1983. The unemployment rate three-month moving average is 9.0 percent, up +0.5 percent from the prior month, and at its highest since December 1985.

“In these uncertain economic times, it is important for Illinois workers to identify steps they can take to better prepare themselves for the future,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said. “Skills assessment, job counseling, resume review and other services offered through IDES and its partners can assist workers in identifying and preparing for opportunities in the future.”

Nationally, total non-farm payroll employment fell in April for the 16th consecutive month (-539,000), bringing total national job losses to -5.7 million since the onset of the national recession in December 2007. The nation’s unemployment rate climbed to 8.9 percent in April and the total number of unemployed persons reached 13.7 million.

In Illinois, the Manufacturing sector lost -8,900 jobs in April. The Manufacturing sector has lost -77,400 jobs since the recession began in December 2007. The Professional and Business Services sector lost -4,700 jobs in April, and -78,400 jobs since the recession began. Employment fell in the Trade and Transportation industry by -5,400 in April and -50,400 since December 2007. The Construction sector lost -4,800 jobs and -39,600 since the recession began.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security administers federally funded employment services and unemployment insurance through its nearly 60 offices, including the Illinois workNet Centers. IDES also receives federal grants to provide and analyze labor market statistics and information.

Illinois to Receive More Than $100 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Unemployment Insurance Modernization

From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Illinois will receive $100,383,562 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for unemployment insurance modernization. The funds will allow the Illinois Department of Employment Security to pay unemployment benefits and to deliver employment services.

“Recent job loss numbers underscore how urgently unemployment benefits are needed,” Durbin said. “Putting money in the hands of unemployed families means they will be able to pay their rent and utility bills, buy groceries and clothe their children. Extending unemployment benefits is the not only right thing to do to aid struggling families, but it will also breathe some life into our struggling economy.”

One of six states certified by the U.S. Department of Labor to share in the $7 billion made available for UI modernization by this year’s Recovery Act, Illinois qualified for incentive funds because it allows workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn lauded the announcement, calling the funding “vital support to the people of Illinois as they cope with these difficult economic times.” Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said Illinois recognizes the importance of providing an economic safety net for workers who have entered the workforce recently and lost their jobs through no fault of their own. “It is the right thing to do for workers and is good for the state’s economic recovery,” Solis said.

Governor Quinn Announces Extended Unemployment Benefits

From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn

CHICAGO – April 16, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will fund an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance for Illinois unemployed workers who otherwise would have exhausted their benefits. The news comes after the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the Illinois unemployment rate was 9.1 percent last month.

“The proud workers of Illinois deserve this additional help to weather the storm of this deep national recession,” said Governor Quinn. “We need to do more than just extend unemployment benefits – we need to pass legislation to put the people of Illinois back to work. Two weeks ago I signed the Jump Start Capital Plan to start projects that put people to work; now I am working with the General Assembly to pass the rest of the Illinois Jobs Now! plan which will support 340,000 jobs.”

The Extended Benefits Program provides up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance to workers who have exhausted their 26 weeks of benefits through the state and the additional 33 weeks provided through federal emergency extensions approved by Congress. Without the Extended Benefits Program, Illinois workers who exhausted their regular and emergency benefits would no longer receive unemployment benefits through IDES.

The Extended Benefits Program was activated April 5. The extended benefits automatically will become payable for weeks beginning on or after April 12.

With extended benefits come additional federal requirements. In order to qualify for extended benefits, claimants must document their job search, which must generally include at least five personal contacts with prospective employers each week and three work applications each week. Those eligible for extended benefits will receive more detail in the mail and do not need to contact the department. Details are also available at www.Ides.State.il.us.

“To assist working families with the more stringent documentation rules, the Department has set up a centralized customer service center and will provide individual notices to claimants along with required forms necessary to receive the benefit payment,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said.

March Unemployment Rate Tops Nine Percent

From the Illinois Department of Employment Security

CHICAGO – The Illinois seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March is 9.1 percent, the highest level since November 1985, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The March rate is +0.5 percent higher than February and the sixth consecutive month to record an increase.

Total non-farm payroll declined by –39,300 jobs in March 2009, the second largest over-the-month decrease on record (back to 1990). In March, the number of unemployed people in Illinois increased to 596,000 (+27,400), the highest level reported since September 1983.

“As the recession continues, so do our efforts to improve customer service and to inform people about programs that assess an individual’s work skills so they can better prepare themselves when the economy turns around,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said. “We encourage workers to take advantage of this time by learning new skills and positioning themselves for better opportunities as this economy improves.”

Nationally, the total number of unemployed grew to 13.2 million in March. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.5 percent, its highest level in 25 years. National payroll employment declined for the 15th consecutive month, dropping by -663,000 jobs and bringing total national job losses to -5.1 million since the recession began in December 2007.

In Illinois, the Manufacturing sector lost -14,200 jobs in March, its third largest over-the-month reduction since January 1992. In the last year, this sector has dropped by -60,800 jobs, more than 9 percent of its total workforce. The Professional and Business Services sector reported -13,200 fewer workers, the second largest decrease on record and its third decline in excess of -10,000 in the last five months.

The IDES administers federally funded employment services and unemployment insurance programs through its nearly 60 offices, including the Illinois workNet Centers. IDES also receives federal grants to provide and analyze labor market statistics and information.