High Unemployment Rate (for sale, rent, how much)

[Jay F]

I know RI has had one of the higher unemployment rates for the past several years. Over the past year the rate has fallen in the vast majority of states, but not RI which now ranks #2 highest..

I'm in Nevada which has ranked #1 for awhile. But if RI keeps showing no decline it could easily rank as highest in the next couple of months.
So what is going on there where RI doesn't have falling unemployment like the rest of the country?

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by Jay F

I know RI has had one of the higher unemployment rates for the past several years. Over the past year the rate has fallen in the vast majority of states, but not RI which now ranks #2 highest..

I'm in Nevada which has ranked #1 for awhile. But if RI keeps showing no decline it could easily rank as highest in the next couple of months.
So what is going on there where RI doesn't have falling unemployment like the rest of the country?

Could be high taxes, unfriendly business environment, welfare state, total moron for Governor.

Here is the source for all about RI: www.projo.com

[rosco917]

Municipal Union's gone wild, brought to you by, of a single party General Assembly and State Legislature who has ruled with Iron fist for 60 years, plus.

Picture, if you will, a common city worker who retired at 42 years of age, making $43,000 a year, now making a cool $120,000 at present and rising every year, naturally, along with full benefits for life, (many workers have a small business they run during the day... wink wink)
Now... how about a Lt. Fire fighter, who retired earning 66,000 a year, now pulling in $166,000 a year. It's called the miracle of COLA. (Cost of Living Allowance) Think of us as mini-Greece.

You've opened up a "can of worms" here, but that's all you have to understand is, someday Nevada will improve as the National Economy does, but "tiny little" Rhody will remain the same.

Terrible roads, crumbling infrastructure and all.

[Hollytree]

There is very likely a huge underground economy in this state- more people working then are reported. I doubt the unemployment figures are anything but vague indicators.

This is how the numbers are calculated according to the DLT:

The unemployment figures are based largely on a survey of households in Rhode Island and measure the unemployment status of people who live in the state... The establishment employment figures are derived from a survey of businesses in Rhode Island and measure the number of jobs in the state. Rhode Island labor market information is available at Rhode Island Labor Market Information.

"a survey of households" !!!!!!!!!! ha!

[JBtwinz]

I do not think it takes much to realize how high RI unemployment is. It is not hidden the amount of jobs lost in the last ten years. The manufacturing and Jewelry industry has been devastated and healthcare followed by tourism are the biggest segments of RI economy. The population has been stagnant and jobs lost are being replaced by service industry jobs.

It is a far cry from the industry highs of the 1980's. Bostich, General Dynamics, Brown & Sharpe, AT Cross and others were home to thousands of employee's. Perhaps instead of luring business to RI more time and effort should have been spent keeping business in RI.

The Wiki link shows major employers in RI now.

Rhode Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[rosco917]

LOL...There's a huge underground economy in every state, not just Rhode Island. In Rhode Island "Scrapping" is the number 1 underground occupation.

but you're correct it could be better than indicated, or "gulp" it could be worse, many have simply stopped looking for work.

look around closely...I'll guess 40% of commercial property is for rent or for sale in this state.

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by rosco917

Municipal Union's gone wild, brought to you by, of a single party General Assembly and State Legislature who has ruled with Iron fist for 60 years, plus.

Picture, if you will, a common city worker who retired at 42 years of age, making $43,000 a year, now making a cool $120,000 at present and rising every year, naturally, along with full benefits for life, (many workers have a small business they run during the day... wink wink)
Now... how about a Lt. Fire fighter, who retired earning 66,000 a year, now pulling in $166,000 a year. It's called the miracle of COLA. (Cost of Living Allowance) Think of us as mini-Greece.

You've opened up a "can of worms" here, but that's all you have to understand is, someday Nevada will improve as the National Economy does, but "tiny little" Rhody will remain the same.

Terrible roads, crumbling infrastructure and all.

And yet, come November - how much you want to make a bet 90-95% of the same people get re-elected? It's a vicious cycle and very few are trying hard break it. But RI is a state in serious trouble.