Study Concludes that Job Growth is Moderate

Posted by marykeating on July 7, 2010 under Economic situation | Be the First to Comment

The news has been full of disappointment over a weak job recovery. While economists say the recession has been over for a year, tell that to the long-term unemployed people. Congress failed to renew their extended unemployment benefits before recessing.

A new study shows growth, though it’s weak. The research looks at hard numbers of available jobs, production, sales and unemployment claims, together with polls of how difficult job seekers considere the market. Based on their aggregation, the Conference Board Employment Trade Index concludes that progress is slow and steady, up 9.8% from a year ago.

Governor Reports on Positive Job Numbers

Posted by marykeating on May 14, 2010 under Economic situation | Be the First to Comment

Governor Martin O’Malley reported that the state’s use of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the federal government resulted in positive job effects.  Specifically, the Governor’s press release reports that 13,821 jobs were created or saved during the quarter ending March 31.  Of those 13,000 jobs, only about 3,500 were paid for directly by the federal subsidy.  The others were indirectly created (for example, jobs in industries supplying the federally created projects), or “induced,” meaning that the increased spending in the state saved or created a job in a restaurant or retail store.  Eventually, of course, the economy has to hum along on its own steam, but the recovery dollars have held off a worse recession.