Washington unemployment rate falls to 8.5%
Washington’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5% in August — still double what it was last year, but down about half from the peak 16.3% in April.
The state economy added 19,800 jobs between July and August, which was significantly lower than additions in May, June and July, as many industries rebounded from initial shutdowns spurred by Covid-19. The unemployment rate marks an improvement from 10.2% in July and is on par with the national unemployment rate of 8.4%.
Some industries — especially those highly dependent on travel and gathering — continue to struggle. Year-over-year, the leisure and hospitality industry has lost 100,500 jobs, including 55,000 in food and beverage services. The industry gained just 300 jobs back in August, compared to nearly 16,000 in July.
Seattle-area companies in the industry continue to post layoffs, including Booking.com, which closed its Bellevue office and laid off 235 employees in the city as part of its effort to cut a quarter of its global employees. Dave & Buster's restaurant and arcade also announced plans to permanently lay off 85 people in Auburn in November, and the Hudson Group travel retailer permanently laid off 89 in late August.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/09/17/washington-august-unemployment-rate.html
If Inslee was like Trump he'd be bragging about some of the greatest job growth.