For the second month in a row, Wisconsin lost the most jobs in the nation. According to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Badger State lost more the 14,600 jobs in November. That’s on top of the 9,700 jobs lost in October, although those numbers were recently updated to show only 2,400 jobs were lost that month.
State Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson insists it will get better, noting that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate and unemployment claims have continued to come down in recent months. He also points to a recent Manpower survey that shows a majority of businesses in the state are expected to add new jobs next year.
Newson says pro-business bills passed by the Legislature earlier this year should also lead to job growth in 2012. He refers to the federal data as “lagging indicators” that don’t consider the better environment for businesses Governor Scott Walker has been working with lawmakers to create.
Democrats argue the numbers show Governor Walker’s economic policies are not working, pointing out that Wisconsin has lost jobs every month since his state budget took effect in July.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:10)
UPDATE: DWD noted last week that the October job figures were overestimated, dropping them by almost 75-percent.
