Summary Box: 17 states report lower unemployment rates; 26 see increases
By APFriday, August 21, 2009
Summary Box: 17 states see lower jobless rates
WHAT HAPPENED: Seventeen states saw their unemployment rates decline in July, while 26 reported increases. Though joblessness is still widespread, that’s an improvement from June, when only five saw a drop.
WHAT’S BEHIND THE IMPROVEMENT?: The rebound in the auto industry has helped lower unemployment rates in Indiana, South Carolina, Minnesota and Michigan, which is still wrestling with 15 percent unemployment. State officials in New York credited the Obama administration’s stimulus package with helping create jobs.
WHAT’S NEXT: Economists expect jobs to remain scarce nationwide and the unemployment rate to rise to 10 percent by the end of the year, up from 9.4 percent in July. Employers aren’t expected to ramp up hiring until they are confident the economy is recovering.
