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I still can't figure it out. Rhode Island may not be the economic epicenter of the nation, but surely it's not the dirty end of a barge pole. So, why does Rhode Island have the highest unemployment rate in the nation? What factors, what circumstances, what quirk of fate has led to this designation?
I mean, God awful Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas -- all loser states. Why do we wear this crown of thorns?
There have to be reasons -- and we need to analyze these reasons and mitigate or eliminate them. Can't go on this way -- if we do, the future of the state is beyond bleak. We need to (1) identify the causal factors and (2) overcome them. I'm disinterested in excuses, I want solutions.
"We've been number one or in the top six unemployment rates every month since 2008. The biggest problem for Rhode Island continues to be that our labor force does not have adequate skills and that means that companies are not going to necessarily come here or if they are here they are not going to want to expand."
Better schools = better skills.
It's a bit of a conundrum, as New England is known as a bastion of education, with some of the finest schools in the world. Yet, of the annual rankings of the 1900 most challenging high schools in the United States, RI has 1 school listed (Classical High in Providence).
So, the solution? Somehow get more challenging curriculum in the schools so the students graduate with a skillset that can be further honed in college and that companies will be interested in.
RI loves to spend money on education, but is not interested in the outcome. The "race to the bottom" is alive and well in much of the RI public education system.
I think it has to do with the labor unions and seasonal workers.
You know that in order to be officially "unemployed" means you are
collecting unemployment compensation. Once you're off that, they
do not count you as "unemployed" anymore. The labor unions such
as plumbers, pipefitters, laborers, electricians, bricklayers, etc,
in this state they usually work about 20% of the time, and collect the other 80%.
So they are always on the "unemployment" rolls. Same with a lot of
landscapers and retail, warehouse, temp workers. On and off.
You also cannot deny the high cost of everything that makes RI undesirable to many, such as the auto insurance, property and car taxes, tax on SSI which chases retirees away. Having an excruciating high cost of living in an economically challenged state is not sustainable. It will continue to fall further behind...
I think it has to do with the labor unions and seasonal workers.
You know that in order to be officially "unemployed" means you are
collecting unemployment compensation. Once you're off that, they
do not count you as "unemployed" anymore. The labor unions such
as plumbers, pipefitters, laborers, electricians, bricklayers, etc,
in this state they usually work about 20% of the time, and collect the other 80%.
So they are always on the "unemployment" rolls. Same with a lot of
landscapers and retail, warehouse, temp workers. On and off.
I don't know about your dissing the unions. Rhode Island is hardly the most unionized state in the nation and the others that are highly (relatively) unionized are faring much better. Think New York, where doormen are unionized and many elevators must, by union contract, be manually operated by -- you got it -- unionized operators.
I do think the UE rate in the US (and RI is) is vastly understated. I think it is much higher.
"We've been number one or in the top six unemployment rates every month since 2008. The biggest problem for Rhode Island continues to be that our labor force does not have adequate skills and that means that companies are not going to necessarily come here or if they are here they are not going to want to expand."
Better schools = better skills.
It's a bit of a conundrum, as New England is known as a bastion of education, with some of the finest schools in the world. Yet, of the annual rankings of the 1900 most challenging high schools in the United States, RI has 1 school listed (Classical High in Providence).
So, the solution? Somehow get more challenging curriculum in the schools so the students graduate with a skillset that can be further honed in college and that companies will be interested in.
Is the quote from that raging lunatic, Massa, or whatever his name is? He's a quart low, if you will.
Is the quote from that raging lunatic, Massa, or whatever his name is? He's a quart low, if you will.
No, that name doesn't ring a bell. But the point made sense. Interesting thought about the unions, though. As I'm sure you're aware, Nevada and Rhode Island like to flip-flop for highest unemployment in the country. And Las Vegas is pretty much run by the Culinary Union. And basically, like Providence, LV IS the state of Nevada. So there might be some teeth in that argument..
This is interesting as well. Part timers can work and collect. Teachers, under certain circumstances, can be eligible for benefits. Unemployment Insurance , Your Benefit Rights
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