Az Leap in state unemployment ranks No. 2

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2008/07/20/20080720biz-talker0720.html

by Betty Beard - Jul. 20, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Arizona had one of the highest month-to-month increases in its June unemployment rate in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state's June rate was 4.8 percent, a 0.4 percentage point higher than its May rate. Only Indiana came in with a larger increase, with a half a percentage point rate increase to 5.8 percent.

Arizona, which tied with Illinois in having a 0.4 percentage point increase, was one of seven states considered to have a statistically significant change in its jobless rate from May.

Arizona had 24,100 fewer non-farm jobs than a year earlier, when seasonally adjusted, according to the bureau. That was not as bad as Florida, which lost 78,100; Michigan, down 48,600 and Rhode Island, down 11,900.

Texas gained 245,000 jobs; Washington, 35,500; and Colorado, 32,200.

June numbers are preliminary and subject to revision. For more, go to bls.gov.

[grantcart]

1. wonder how that will effect polls in AZ