LESS than anemic job growth for region, #84/90 (Pittsburgh, York: city hall, credit)

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

I know it's not exactly the same as the job growth metric, but the unemployment rates in all but Fayette Co. are in the 4.1-4.3 range. That's not terrible (i.e. "sharting") and less than a half point above the national average, and only two to three tenths above Allegheny Co.

I think income changes, not job growth, is an underlying story in what is changing in Pgh. The linked article is more broadly about housing but this is interesting...

For 2019, AMI in Allegheny County is $79,900. That marks a roughly 5% increase from last year’s AMI of $76,000, and a 23% increase from 2012’s AMI of $64,900.

https://www.publicsource.org/as-area...dable-housing/

[Charley Barker]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I think income changes, not job growth, is an underlying story in what is changing in Pgh. The linked article is more broadly about housing but this is interesting...

For 2019, AMI in Allegheny County is $79,900. That marks a roughly 5% increase from last year’s AMI of $76,000, and a 23% increase from 2012’s AMI of $64,900.

https://www.publicsource.org/as-area...dable-housing/

Yes, I did see this article (and Public Source is about the only media outlet asking tough questions). I hope the increases prove to be distributed broadly across the region when those numbers are released. If not, we will still have this dichotomy. I know one narrative based on such stats is that the city is getting smaller and more wealthy. I don't really see that as a formula for success. I see a lot neighborhoods that continue to decline (Beltzhoover, Allentown, Crafton Heights, Esplen, Marshall-Shadeland, etc.), and some just holding their own (Beechview, Lincoln Place, Brighton Heights, etc.). All boats need to rise more evenly to compete nationally and build-up the city, county and region. Job growth = population growth = economic and political leverage.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I think income changes, not job growth, is an underlying story in what is changing in Pgh. The linked article is more broadly about housing but this is interesting...

For 2019, AMI in Allegheny County is $79,900. That marks a roughly 5% increase from last year’s AMI of $76,000, and a 23% increase from 2012’s AMI of $64,900.

https://www.publicsource.org/as-area...dable-housing/

From the article:

"While AMI has been rising, Metropulos said she has yet to see a spike that concerns her.

“I keep waiting to see a giant jump in AMI every year,” she said. “It hasn’t happened yet, but I am always waiting for it.”

Is she blind?

[Charley Barker]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

From the article:

"While AMI has been rising, Metropulos said she has yet to see a spike that concerns her.

“I keep waiting to see a giant jump in AMI every year,” she said. “It hasn’t happened yet, but I am always waiting for it.”

Is she blind?

I think what she is saying is exactly what's quoted "giant jump in AMI every year". Starting in 2012 through 2018 the annual increase appears to be in the +/-2% range. I think she is saying if this (+5% increase) happens when the 2020 numbers are in, she will see it as more of a trend rather than an anomaly.


BTW - the first time I read it I scratched my head too, so you're not alone. ;-)

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

Yes, I did see this article (and Public Source is about the only media outlet asking tough questions). I hope the increases prove to be distributed broadly across the region when those numbers are released. If not, we will still have this dichotomy. I know one narrative based on such stats is that the city is getting smaller and more wealthy. I don't really see that as a formula for success. I see a lot neighborhoods that continue to decline (Beltzhoover, Allentown, Crafton Heights, Esplen, Marshall-Shadeland, etc.), and some just holding their own (Beechview, Lincoln Place, Brighton Heights, etc.). All boats need to rise more evenly to compete nationally and build-up the city, county and region. Job growth = population growth = economic and political leverage.

Agreed, however this is better than jobs and wages slipping so it just needs to be spread out more evenly.

[Merge]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Jobs were growing just fine in this region when we had President Obama. Maybe the problem isn't local and Mr. Pittsburgh Not Paris doesn't have any idea what he's doing or is telling lies to workers while only helping other billionaires.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Moby Hick again.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

Yes, I did see this article (and Public Source is about the only media outlet asking tough questions). I hope the increases prove to be distributed broadly across the region when those numbers are released. If not, we will still have this dichotomy. I know one narrative based on such stats is that the city is getting smaller and more wealthy. I don't really see that as a formula for success. I see a lot neighborhoods that continue to decline (Beltzhoover, Allentown, Crafton Heights, Esplen, Marshall-Shadeland, etc.), and some just holding their own (Beechview, Lincoln Place, Brighton Heights, etc.). All boats need to rise more evenly to compete nationally and build-up the city, county and region. Job growth = population growth = economic and political leverage.

We aren’t going to get good paying jobs for the undereducated/skilled unless we pass a living wage law. Manufacturing isn’t coming back, and a large percentage of the population is never going to enter the knowledge economy. The people struggling to make a living wage would also struggle in the big coastal cities and the fast-growing sunbelt cities.

As someone else stated earlier, we really have to address the opioid epidemic. This area has a serious shortage of school bus drivers, a relatively low-skill job that can pay a living wage. We can’t fill those positions because of the low number of people who would want such a job AND pass a drug test.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Jobs were growing just fine in this region when we had President Obama. Maybe the problem isn't local and Mr. Pittsburgh Not Paris doesn't have any idea what he's doing or is telling lies to workers while only helping other billionaires.

Weren’t most all of those low paying, mostly insignificant jobs? Hanging ones hat on those certainly isn’t anything special.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Weren’t most all of those low paying, mostly insignificant jobs?

There are no insignificant jobs. Low-paying jobs are low-paying because we allow corporations to exploit workers. I’m sure you’re going to tell me that no one is forcing people to work for minimum wage.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by gladhands

There are no insignificant jobs. Low-paying jobs are low-paying because we allow corporations to exploit workers. I’m sure you’re going to tell me that no one is forcing people to work for minimum wage.

Agreed 100%.

Contrary to popular belief among conservatives not EVERY person can just go from being a janitor or school bus driver or pizza delivery person to being a software engineer or robotics technician or AI developer "if they work hard enough and stop being lazy". Some people just DO NOT possess the intellect or aptitude to evolve into the tech-/knowledge-based economy.

Every job has a meaning and a purpose, and every job should pay a living wage.