The BLS released its latest jobs report on Friday, and it’s good news for Pennsylvania. Unemployment is down and below the national average, and our economy added more jobs in May than in any month since 1983. Pennsylvania’s economic growth is a testament to Governor Corbett’s pro-jobs policies that have put people back to work.
If reporting on the May jobs report, please consider the following quote form the PA GOP.
“It’s clear that Governor Corbett’s strong and steady leadership is putting Pennsylvania back to work and he is moving our Commonwealth in a positive direction. From day one, Governor Corbett and Republicans in the legislature have worked to close a $4.2 billion deficit and we continue to make strides in spite of a national economic climate that is still struggling. Despite the Democrats’ misleading attacks, Governor Corbett’s record is outstanding, having created 125,000 private sector jobs. Despite President Obama’s disastrous agenda that includes job-crushing ObamaCare, Governor Corbett’s pro-growth, pro-jobs policies are moving us forward.” –PA GOP Executive Director Bob Bozzuto
Pennsylvania economy added more jobs in May than in any month since 1983
The state’s economy added 24,000 new jobs compared to April — the highest one-month gain since 1983. The number of people filing for unemployment claims also fell in May by 9,000 to 488,000. May’s unemployment rate is more than half a percentage point below that in January, when the number climbed to 8.2 percent. May’s number also marks the first time Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate has fallen below 7.6 percent since March 2009, near the start of the recession. (Hackman, Michelle. Pennsylvania economy added more jobs in May than in any month since 1983. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 6/21/2013.)
A new, multi-year low for PA’s unemployment rate
This was the state’s lowest unemployment rate since March 2009. “Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate hasn’t been this low since 2009 and has declined for four consecutive months,” Julia Hearthway, Secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry said. “Pennsylvania’s rate is now below the U.S. rate, which increased one-tenth of a percentage point in May to 7.6 percent.” Over the year, the unemployment rate was down four-tenths of a percentage point and the labor force was up 45,000, the department said. The number of people unemployed decreased to 488,000. This was the fourth consecutive month that the unemployment count has decreased. (Luciew, John. A new, multi-year low for PA’s unemployment rate. Patriot News. 6/21/2013.)
Pa.’s Unemployment Rate Below National Average
Unemployment has gone down in Pennsylvania, making it lower than the national average.
In May, the state’s unemployment rate dipped down to 7.5 percent. The national average increased to 7.6 percent. Pennsylvania’s current unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in about four years. (Pa.’s Unemployment Rate Below National Average. KDKA. June 21, 2013.)
Pennsylvania unemployment falls
U.S. Unemployment, May 2013: 7.6%
Pennsylvania Unemployment, May 2013: 7.5%
Change from April 2013: -.1
Change from May 2012: -.4
(BLS, accessed 6/21/2013)