Unemployment rate takes unexpected dip

 
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net

Don’t get too excited, but the nation’s unemploynent rate made a move in the right direction in January, falling to 9.7 percent from 10.0 percent in December.

“It is important not to read too much into any one monthly report, positive or negative. It is essential that we continue our efforts to move in the right direction and replace job losses with robust job gains,” said Christina Romer, the chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, in a statement on the numbers released Friday.

There are still likely to be “bumps in the road ahead,” Romer warned, and the good news today itself came with some of the bumps, the most noticeable being the revised estimate that has the economy losing more than 1 million more jobs due to the recession than had previously been estimated.

But even slightly good news is good news in an economy that was in freefall for months since the start of the recession in December 2007. Today’s figures show employment in manufacturing in general and motor-vehicle manufacturing in particular on the increase for the first time since January 2007, and the unemployment rate that includes all persons marginally attached to the labor force and workers working part-time for economic reasons falling by a full percentage point.

Local officials back jobs program

  
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net

As U.S. mayors gathered in Washington this week to meet with the Obama administration about unemployment and the economy, Virginia local government officials and community leaders are calling for the creation of a Community Jobs program.

The jobs program would provide funding to localities across the country to create 1 million temporary public and private sector jobs. Congressman Keith Ellison from Minnesota has introduced HR 4268, The Put America to Work Act of 2009, in the U.S. House of Representatives to authorize a Community Jobs Program. The bill has 52 co-sponsors. Community groups and local government officials are working with partners around the country to organize in support of this bill, and to ensure that it becomes law.

Advocates for the legislation stress the urgency in creating new jobs. Since December 2007, when the recession began, the economy has shed 7.2 million jobs. In December 2009, the national unemployment rate was at a staggering 10 percent. Read more

Looking up

  
Column by David Reynolds
Submit guest columns: freepress2@ntelos.net

Now let’s see if I’ve got this right. We are just into the new year and the sky has not yet fallen. Yes, I know, no one actually predicted that the clouds would fall. Nevertheless, there were those who kept saying that whatever keeps the human race on a solid footing - be it good manners or gravity - may have left us.

So they set the stage. While the sky did not fall - they said that everything else would. First, let’s go back to March 6 of last year. The pessimists, those who make a living predicting every year the return of the Great Depression, were looking pretty good. They predicted bad tidings, except for Christmas day when the markets are closed. Of course, the pessimists were wrong. On the last day of 2009 it was the bulls with the smiles. The bears? Well, you know what bears look like.

Another example on the economic front. Following World War II there were the same fears as today. Therefore Congress passed The Full Employment Act of 1946, cosponsored by my favorite Democrat, the happy warrior, Sen. Hubert Horatio Humphrey. In 1978 when the economy was again looking down and unemployment was an unacceptable 6.1 percent the goal was to reach full employment - defined as 4.0 percent unemployment - not zero! Read more

Fifth District Report

Column by Tom Perriello

I want to update Virginians on some of the efforts I am undertaking in Congress to get our economy back on track.

You may recall in the Sept. 28 edition of this newsletter, I wrote that the U.S. House voted to extend unemployment benefits only in states where the unemployment rate is 8.5 percent or higher. Virginia, which has an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent, was not one of the states that would benefit from this bill, so I voted against it. At the same time, I continued to work for solutions for regions like Southside Virginia, which still face local unemployment rates that are unacceptably high. I lobbied congressional leaders and introduced legislation to extend unemployment benefits in all states, including Virginia. Read more

Forbes votes for unemployment-benefits extension

Congressman Randy Forbes (R-4th) announced today that he voted in favor of H.R. 3548, to allow workers to draw an additional 14 weeks of federal unemployment benefits after exhausting their regular 26 weeks of state compensation. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill is revenue neutral and paid for through a number of offsets. Read more

Webb pushes unemployment-benefits extension

Sen. Jim Webb today called on the Senate to pass a comprehensive proposal, which he cosponsored, to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states. Nearly two million out-of-work Americans face expiring benefits by the end of the year.

The critical measure was stalled last week by Republican leadership but is expected to more forward in the Senate in the coming weeks. In a competing House proposal, only states with jobless rates above 8.5 percent would qualify for a 13-week extension in benefits for the unemployed, which would exclude Virginia and twenty-two other states from receiving federal funds. Read more

Unemployment rate up nationally

The employment situation in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley is looking a bit better. The situation nationally - not so much.

The national unemployment rate inched up from 9.7 percent in August to 9.8 percent in September, according to a report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read more

Employment numbers continue to improve

The state unemployment rate dropped in August to three percentage points below the national average, and the rate also dipped locally in the Central Shenandoah Valley.

The state rate was at 6.5 percent in August, down from 6.9 percent in July and 7.3 percent in June, according to data on the Virginia Employment Commission updated Wednesday. Read more

Perriello working on unemployment-benefits issue

Congressman Tom Perriello is fighting to extend unemployment benefits in Virginia after the U.S. House passed a bill that did not benefit Virginia workers.

Last week, the U.S. House passed H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, which only applied to states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher (Virginia’s is currently at 6.5 percent). Prior to the vote, Perriello wrote to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer asking that regional considerations be made to account for areas like Southern Virginia with high unemployment rates. Because the bill would not benefit Virginians, Rep. Perriello broke with his party and voted against the bill. Yesterday, he sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman urging short- and long-term solutions for regions like Southern Virginia. Read more

Unemployment claims down

In the week ending Sept. 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 530,000, a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 551,000. The four-week moving average was 553,500, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week’s revised average of 564,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.6 percent for the week ending Sept. 12, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week’s unrevised rate of 4.7 percent. Read more

Unemployment down in Virginia for second straight month

Gov. Tim Kaine today highlighted a second consecutive month of declining unemployment rates in Virginia. The Commonwealth’s August seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent, following rates of 7.1 percent in June and 6.9 percent in July. The August rate makes Virginia fifth lowest among unemployment rates nationally and maintains the Commonwealth’s ranking as the lowest among large states.  Read more

Initial unemployment claims down

In the week ending Sept. 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 545,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 557,000. The four-week moving average was 563,000, a decrease of 8,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 571,750. Read more

Kaine: State needs line of credit to meet unemployment obligations

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Tuesday filed a request with the U.S. Department of Labor for a repayable advance of $252 million from the Federal Unemployment Account to meet the obligations of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Program through December 2009. With increased demand for benefits and reduced employer contributions to the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, a federal loan is now required to help meet the needs of the nearly 69,000 Virginians currently receiving unemployment benefits. The economic downturn and resulting increase in demand has also driven Virginia’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund to levels that activate triggers for a Fund Builder Tax to replenish the account. Read more

Employment numbers continue to improve

Good news on the local employment front - unemployment rates in the five localities in the Augusta and Rockingham areas were down in July.

More good news at the state level - Virginia saw its unemployment rate dip from 7.3 percent in June to 6.9 percent in July, according to data released by the Virginia Employment Commission on Tuesday.

Read more

Unemployment claims dip

In the week ending Aug. 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 570,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 580,000. The four-week moving average was 566,250, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 571,000.  Read more

Report: Unemployment claims up

In the week ending Aug. 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 576,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 561,000. The four-week moving average was 570,000, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week’s revised average of 565,750. Read more

Unemployment rate down a tad, but that’s still good news

Unemployment dropped slightly in July, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor Friday, but of course even the slight decline, from 9.5 percent in June to 9.4 percent in July, was big news in that the decrease was the first in more than a year. Read more

Initial unemployment claims down

In the week ending Aug. 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 550,000, a decrease of 38,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 588,000, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor today. Read more

Initial unemployment claims up last week

The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for the week ending July 18 was 554,000, an increase of 30,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 524,000. The four-week moving average was 566,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week’s revised average of 585,000. Read more

Unemployment claims down last week

In the week ending July 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 565,000, a decrease of 52,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 617,000, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor today.  Read more

Unemployment ticks up in June

The national unemployment rate inched up a bit in June, to 9.5 percent, a tenth of a point higher than May and getting close to double where we were at the start of the recession in December 2007.
Another measure that factors in people working part-time who would prefer full-time work, the long-term unemployed who no qualify for unemployment benefits and those who have been out of work for a year or longer who have suspended their job searches puts the unemployment/underemployment rate just shy of 20 percent, from my analysis of figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Thursday morning. Read more

Unemployment up slightly in May

Unemployment ticked up a bit across the Valley in May, though the slight increases were called seasonal by a Virginia Employment Commission economist today.
Waynesboro still has the highest unemployment rate locally, at 9.1 percent, up from the 8.8 percent mark in April, according to VEC data released today. Staunton was up from 6.9 percent in April to 7.0 percent in May. Augusta County went from 6.4 percent in April to 6.9 percent in May. Read more

In the News

- State News: Commonwealth Transportation Board adopts six-year plan
- Economy: Initial unemployment claims up slightly
- State News: ACLU backs Gloucester residents in case involving attempted removal of supervisors  Read more

In the News

- Economy: National unemployment rate pushes up in May
- Local News: Staunton water plants win recognition
- Local News: Tip a Cop to help Special Olympics
- Politics: Clark endorses Signer
- Capitol Hill: Perriello veterans legislation gaining support in Congress Read more

In the News

- Economy: Initial unemployment claims down
- Capitol Hill: Webb calls for transparency in aid to Pakistan  Read more

Targeted tax relief for the unemployed

I noticed that Waynesboro City Council has added to its agenda for its staff briefing tonight an item to discuss tax relief for the elderly and disabled. I’ve been talking up behind the scenes an idea springing from that senior-focused tax-relief effort that I think could gain some traction given the economic times. And the idea, local property-tax relief for the unemployed, seems to be meeting with support from the people I’ve broached the topic with to date. Read more

Bad news in Waynesboro, but job situation holding steady around us

The unemployment rate in Waynesboro pushed past 11 percent in March, up nearly a point from February and more than double the jobless rate from a year ago.
A net loss of 87 jobs from February to March was reported in Waynesboro in the Virginia Employment Commission numbers released Wednesday. According to the data, 1,219 people in Waynesboro were out of work in March, up from 1,132 in February and 490 in March 2008. Read more

Greg Marrow | Facts and figures on unemployment

Recently I read in the News Leader an attempt by Del. Steve Landes to explain away his rejection of the $125 million in federal stimulus money dedicated to unemployment insurance. Early on in his commentary Del. Landes states, “This would have been a permanent change to unemployment benefits.” As Steve Landes and everyone else in his party know, this is simply not true. Read more

Team Coverage | Democrats raise the temperature on GOP unemployment block

Results, Not Roadblocks was the theme of the news event featuring Democratic Party candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates at the Virginia Employment Commission office in Harrisonburg Thursday afternoon. AFP editor Chris Graham was there and reports across the media platforms. The videos feature 15th District Democratic nominee John Lesinsky, 20th District Democratic nominee Erik Curren, 24th District Democratic nominee Jeff Price, 25th District Democratic candidates Greg Marrow and Jim Noel, and 26th District Democratic nominee Gene Hart. Watch the videos, and read Chris’ written report on the unemployment funding controversy and check out the day in photos.  Read more

‘Liberal media’ sides with GOP … again

The local “liberal media” at the News Leader is at it again, this time giving column space to local Republican legislators Chris Saxman, Ben Cline and Steve Landes to defend themselves from the controversy over their nonsensical party-line vote blocking the receipt of federal stimulus money to expand unemployment benefits for the tens of thousands of Virginians thrown out of work by the economic calamity we’re in now. Read more

Dems continue full-court press on unemployment

The House Republican majority has unwittingly given Democrats a cornerstone to their efforts to take back the junior legislative chamber next fall.
“While Bob McDonnell and the House Republicans are fighting ideological battles with Washington, real Virginians are hurting,” said Levar Stoney, executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia, talking up the petition drive initiated by Virginia Democrats aimed at getting Republicans to reconsider their politically motivated opposition to the acceptance of $125 million of federal stimulus funds to expand unemployment benefits for Virginians impacted by the economic recession. Read more

House GOP turns back on those hit hardest by recession

(Updated with statements from Del. Chris Saxman and Democratic legislative candidates Erik Curren and Greg Marrow appearing under our Comments section.)
One thousand, one hundred and thirty two. That’s a real number for you, specifically how many more Waynesboro residents are out of a job as of the most recent report of the Virginia Employment Commission. More real numbers - 953 people are on the unemployment roll in Staunton as of the February report of the VEC, while 2,925 Augusta County residents are looking for work. Read more

In the News

- Capitol Hill: Peace group release congressional report card, posted Thursday, 10:40 a.m.
- Economy: Growth in initial unemployment claims slows, posted Thursday, 10:40 a.m.
- Local News: Easter Egg Hunt in Staunton today, posted Thursday, 10:40 a.m.
- Sports: Taylor, Whitley star in Tech mini-scrimmage, posted Thursday, 10:40 a.m. Read more

Unemployment in Waynesboro tops 10 percent

The unemployment rate in Waynesboro jumped the 10 percent mark in February, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Virginia Employment Commission.
The rate was at 10.3 percent, more than double the 4.9 percent rate in the city in February 2008.
There were 629 more people out of work in Waynesboro in February 2009 than there were in February 2008. Read more

Kaine proposes increased aid for displaced workers

Gov. Tim Kaine is proposing amendments to legislation on unemployment passed this year by the Virginia General Assembly that would expand unemployment elgibility to workers in training and workers seeking part-time work and would expand eligibility across the board for an additional 13 weeks.
“As we work to get our economy back on track, it’s critical we provide Virginians with the temporary assistance they need to weather the storm,” Kaine said in a statement released today. “The Commonwealth has the power—and the obligation—to make necessary changes to our laws that support displaced workers facing serious economic challenges.” Read more

Unemployment tops 8 percent

Unemployment was at a 25-year high in February, according to data released this morning by the United States Department of Labor.
The rate hit 8.1 percent nationally as 851,000 more Americans lost their jobs in the month. The job losses pushed the 12-month running total to 5 million.  Read more

Business and Economy Notebook

- U.S. Economy: Initial unemployment claims down slightly
- Marketplace: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber hosting job fair   Read more

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

- Sports: Groh completes staff for 2009, Thursday, 3 p.m.
- Virginia Politics: Mims elected AG, Thursday, 3 p.m.
- Virginia Politics: Webb introduces health-care legislation for military retirees, Thursday, 3 p.m.
- Local News: Salvation Army in Staunton announces food drive, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.
- Economy: Initial unemployment claims show surprising increase, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.
- Virginia Politics: Deeds green homeowner bill on its way to governor, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.
- Sports: VCU knocks off JMU in men’s hoops, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.
- Sports: Diamond Dukes upset Maryland, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Read more

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

- Local News: Community Foundation announces creation of scholarship fund, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
- Local News: Wine tasting Friday in Waynesboro, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
- Sports: W&L baseball opens ‘09 with win, Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
- Local News: EMU history prof traces life of 19th century explorer, author, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
- Virginia Politics: Moran gets endorsements in Prince William, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
- Virginia Politics: McAuliffe picks up more endorsements, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
- Sports: ACC releases baseball TV schedule, Thursday, 2:50 p.m.
- Economy: Initial unemployment claims steady, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
- Sports: VCU takes over first in CAA, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
- Sports: Bridgewater knocks off EMU in OT, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. Read more

AFP Politics Blog - Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

- News: Webb statement on NAACP anniversary, Thursday, 9 p.m.
- News: Family Foundation president offers statement on House of Delegates votes on pro-life amendments in Virginia budget, Thursday, 9 p.m.
- News: Shannon gets endorsements of Richmond, Norfolk mayors, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.
- News: Perriello praised for voting against pay raise, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.
- News: McAuliffe statement on anniversary of NAACP, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.
- News: Kaine, UK ambassador sign climate-change agreement, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.
- News: New unemployment claims dip slightly, Thursday, 9:15 a.m.
- News: Bowerbank appointed to VACo committee, Thursday, 9:15 a.m.
- News: Obama signs DTV transition delay, Thursday, 9:15 a.m. Read more

Unemployment, underemployment rates up again

Nearly 2 million Americans have lost jobs in the past three months, the U.S. Department of Labor is reporting this morning, pushing the nation’s unemployment rate to 7.6 percent.
All told, 11.6 million Americans are now listed as unemployed. Another 7.8 million people seeking full-time work are working part-time, a population that has grown 3.1 million over the past 12 months. Overall unemployment itself is up by 3.6 million dating back to the start of the economic recession in December 2007. Read more

The AFP Blog - Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

- Unemployment in Waynesboro at 7.9 percent, 8:05 p.m.
- Moran releases Green Virginia plan, 12:50 p.m.
- ACLU says bills would violate religious freedoms, 12:50 p.m.
- President Obama on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act bill signing, 10:37 a.m.
- More feel good about direction of country, 9:08 a.m.
- State issues new directive on reporting on pressure sores, 9:08 a.m. Read more

Unemployment - and underemployment

More than 11 million Americans are out of work, another 8 million are in search of full-time work but are currently working part-time, and yet another 1.9 million are known to be out of work but aren’t otherwise accounted for in what we refer to as the national unemployment rate.
Sobering news, indeed, from the U.S. Department of Labor this morning. Read more