Wisconsin unemployment rate way up in last 5 months (Neva: 2009, movers)

[POhdNcrzy]

In November 2008 Wisconsin was ranked 17th in unemployment out of 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

In April 2009 Wisconsin ranks 33rd.

NO OTHER STATE HAD SUCH A MASSIVE SHIFT UPWARDS IN UNEMPLOYMENT.

The rate went from a pretty decent 5.6% in 11/2008 to a pretty darn bad rate of 8.6% in 04/2009.

That's a massive 3.0% plus increase in the unemployment rate in just 5 months.

The next biggest movers on the list were West Virginia (4.6% to 7.5%) and Alaska (7.3% to 8.0%) respectively.

Does anyone know why so many more jobs were lost in Wisconsin in the last 5 months. How about in West Virginia and Alaska?

[Milwaukee City]

Does anyone know why so many more jobs were lost in Wisconsin in the last 5 months. How about in West Virginia and Alaska?

Let me take a shot in the dark....hmmm.....I'm gonna guess it might be the recession.

[Ron Burgundy]

Recession is everywhere genius... he's asking why the percentage of jobs that were lost in Wisconsin increased more than in other areas.

One snarky response deserves another

[ccjarider]

Wi has a heavier reliance on manufacturing than most other states. Manufacturing jobs have taken the biggest hit in this recession.

I think the only other state with a higher percentage of manufacturing work is Indiana.

Having a truly anti business state gov't doesn't help WI either.

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by ccjarider

Wi has a heavier reliance on manufacturing than most other states. Manufacturing jobs have taken the biggest hit in this recession.

I think the only other state with a higher percentage of manufacturing work is Indiana.

Wow, I did not know that. But I did read about manufacturing continuing to really dwindle with this latest recession....

Originally Posted by ccjarider

A truly anti business state gov't doesn't help WI either.

Here in RI the gov't gets accused of that all the time, the chief factors considered to be onerous rules/regulations and high taxes.

In what way is Wisconsin's state government anti-business??

[Milwaukee City]

In what way is Wisconsin's state government anti-business??

Well being ranked 46th best business climate is one reason.

Wisconsin's business climate is shameful - BizTimes

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by POhdNcrzy

In what way is Wisconsin's state government anti-business??

High income/property taxes.
Excessive regulation by Dept. of Natural Resources
Expensive public shool system held hostage by corrupt teachers union

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by ccjarider

High income/property taxes.
Excessive regulation by Dept. of Natural Resources
Expensive public shool system held hostage by corrupt teachers union

Don't forget the partisan 'pro-business' shills that label anything they don't like as anti-business. That keeps away a fair amount of investment too.

[Allan Trafton]

All areas of the economy have been hit hard not just manufacturing. The construction business has been hit much worse. So called pro business states such as Arizona, North Carolina and Nevada all have been hit harder than Wisconsin. We have it no better or worse than the rest of the country. Our unemployment rate is around the national average. This recession is hurting the entire nation not just the industrial north, which happened in 1970's and early 1980's. The sprawl economy in the sunbelt is going to be no better than the north for the next 5 years or so. Everything is extremely overbuilt and their economy is based on people showing up. Not much else. They have a ponzi economy and now they are paying the price.

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by ccjarider

Expensive public shool system held hostage by corrupt teachers union

Ditto for Rhode Island. Here the unionized teachers/schools, police/fire, gov't bureaucrats do an amazing job of successfully fending off any possible reduction in their super-cushy salaries, health coverage and pension arrangements. Their total pay and benefits for the work they do is way more than most workers in the state earn. The system is really cracking now though, wonder what'll finally "break the dam".

Originally Posted by ccjarider

Excessive regulation by Dept. of Natural Resources

Huh? How does that play out in real life? Can you give an example....