Critics: NC Jobless report misleading

Friday, September 16, 2011

Tags:

jobs, local/state, steve dorsey

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Some Conservatives argue the figures in the newly released jobless report don't give an accurate picture of unemployment in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Unemployment Security Commission says the state unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percent last month. It's the highest rate in more than a year, but the ESC says employment increased by 16,500 workers -- mostly in government jobs.

"The labor market is remaining remarkably stable which shows North Carolinians are not giving up in large numbers," said David Clegg, ESC. "They are still out there very actively seeking work."

Rick Henderson, who edits the Carolina Journal for the right-leaning John Lock Foundation, says the state's jobless report doesn't tell the whole story.

According to Henderson, earlier this summer the state focused too much attention on blaming government job losses tied to a Republican-led budget for the state's unemployment rate. Many of those government workers returned to work with the start of the new academic year.

"Part of the problem with these numbers is they don't reflect an accurate account of the number of jobs," Henderson said. "Government jobs always go down in the summer because school's out. It always happens that way, and they come back in the fall."

The ESC says its data is reliable, accurate and consistent.

"We are using the same methodology that's been used for decades," Clegg added. "We are looking at the same snapshot of North Carolina's economy each and every month."

The next unemployment update is expected September 23 when date for each county will be released.