Georgia unemployment rate rises to 10.1 percent in July
Georgia’s unemployment rate rose to 10.1 percent in July, from 9.9 percent in June, the state labor department said Thursday.
There has been no improvement from a year ago, when the state’s jobless rate was also 10.1 percent.
July marked the 48th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent.
The July increase was due primarily to traditional seasonal layoffs, with about 80 percent of them in state and local education, the labor department said.
Georgia lost 30,200 jobs in July. In addition to 24,500 jobs lost in government and education, business services lost 2,200, while construction lost 1,800. Overall, the number of jobs declined seven-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago.
On the positive side, manufacturing gained 1,400 jobs — the first July increase in manufacturing in 18 years, the labor department said.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler blamed the political environment in Washington for hurting job growth.
“I believe the recent lack of leadership in Washington is a contributing factor to the overall lack of confidence in the economy,” Butler said in a statement. “Due to this lack of confidence, we are seeing a business community which is hesitant to make further investments in this economy.”
The number of long-term unemployed workers — those jobless for at least 27 weeks — increased for the first time in five months to hit 251,100, the labor department said. The number of long-term unemployed remains 9.1 percent higher than a year ago. The long-term unemployed account for 52.9 percent of Georgia’s 474,577 jobless workers.
Also, first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in July rose 4.4 percent from June. Most of the first-time claims were filed in manufacturing, education, services and construction.
– Henry Unger, The Biz Beat
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180 comments Add your comment
Let's Be Reasonable
August 18th, 2011
8:07 am
“24,500 jobs lost in government and education, business services lost 2,200, while construction lost 1,800. Overall, the number of jobs declined seven-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago.
On the positive side, manufacturing gained 1,400 jobs — the first July increase in manufacturing in 18 years, the labor department said.”
Meanwhile somewhere in the alternate universe the Tea Party says keep cutting and watch jobs magically appear.
Disgusted
August 18th, 2011
8:08 am
PAM; You sound as stupid as they get! Wake up and smell the coffee or the Tea! Obama is a nice guy, but he doesn’t know what he is doing, he lacks the experience that is needed to fulfill the office. He focused on healthcare reform for 2 years, and now that we are in Dire Straights, he is going to let us know NEXT MONTH (after his tour in a million $ bus, and his vacation at Martha’s Vineyard) what his intentions are. HE HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY!
Me Be lookin'
August 18th, 2011
8:08 am
Of course the real unemployment is more like 20%. There are thousands that have become stay-at-home parents because once you’re out of a job in this country there is a 50% chance you;ll never work again (based on previous stories and my real live experience). I HAD nearly 20 yrs experience in IT. Down-sized and was forced to take a 100% commission job in mortgage financing just oto pay the bills. That company closed – and because I was commission, was not eligible for unemployment. Hard to pay for college with no income. 2 yrs later, still unemployed, broke, and can’t even get a call back for a bronze-level Work-Ready job. Sure could have used some of that billion dollars that BofA received – or some of that new sidewalk-where-nobody-lives construction money. That you Mr President for your misguided stimulus spending….
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:10 am
Obama is not the answer but this is W’s mess, Dallas Dawg.
His deficit spending was double the rate of Reagan, Bush 41, and Clinton which was already high at one trillion.
Correct this figure if I am wrong but the total deficit spending of W’s years I calculated from a WSJ graph to be 5.365 trillion dollars.
I have W’s first term deficit at 2.2 trillion and his 2nd at 3.1 trillion.
Do I have those figures correct?
And if I do, what kept the Tea Party from speaking up then?
W hypnotized the nation maybe?
art thomas
August 18th, 2011
8:11 am
Ga unem goes along with rampant crime, poor education by crooked leaders(APS) high existing poverty of young (ajc8/17 570,000 ) one of worst overbuilt housing in nation, proliferation of huge amounts of uneducated blacks and illegal aliens many on food stamps and 2nd and 3rd generation
permanent welfare class. Contrast these dismal facts with the states with best /lowest unemployment They do not have all of the above facts pulling them down.!!!!
01HAWK
August 18th, 2011
8:12 am
Most employers have already stated that they will be investing instead of hiring. This situation will probably not get any better anytime soon.
Sears in Union City closing soon…………………….100 workers let go, LOWES in Riverdale already closed……………………………..100 workers led out of store by management.
It will continue most likely to stay the same or get worse. We all have to PRAY for a change.
Kanarstead
August 18th, 2011
8:12 am
Again, why is Texas adding jobs? Why is high tax california adding jobs?
Why is Georgia failing so bad.
Does Obama like California and Texas, but hate Georgia?
Darwin
August 18th, 2011
8:15 am
Texas has created so many jobs. So, should Gov. Perry credit Washington DC?
Jive Talking
August 18th, 2011
8:16 am
Let’s Be Reasonable: “Meanwhile somewhere in the alternate universe the Tea Party says keep cutting and watch jobs magically appear.
OK, LBR, and what EXACTLY has your (half-irish) President done to create jobs? I know he spent $3B on something, but it certainly wasn’t job creation. I know he flew air force 1 to NYC for a dinner and broadway show one night and currently is touring farm country in a new $1M bus, like that creates any jobs. He’s been to China and spends a lot of time in MArtha’s Vineyard playing golf. He recently toured Ireland (…finally disclosed his white side…) and rang up a few environmental fines in the process.
It would appear to me that all he has done is spend tax dollars to travel the world.
I
August 18th, 2011
8:17 am
I think this is all Obama’s fault!
I love you man!
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:18 am
@Kanarstead.
When W left the Texas governor’s job, oil was $25 a barrel.
It got up to $147 a barrel and seldom has been below $80/barrel.
The states that have oil are doing better than those that are without.
Also new technology has helped Texas get production from old wells too.
California has really had to cut government services so they do not sound like they are any better off than Georgia. They have huge budget fights every year.
independent
August 18th, 2011
8:20 am
Bernie Marcus and Ken Langone ( started Home Depot here in Atl. in the 70’s ) said on CNBC ( not FOX )… with regulations and taxes , they couldn’t start Home Depot today… and that Obama will go down as worst President in history … By the way Home Depot is doing a much better job of retailing than Sears and Lowes..
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:21 am
Georgia’s housing industry was crushed by the housing bubble.
We have too much supply and not nearly enough jobs to provide buyers.
Lots of jobs in housing wiped out that will be very slow to come back.
Foreclosures depress prices too.
Obama is not the answer but the housing bubble was on W’s watch.
Oil bubble too.
Kanarstead
August 18th, 2011
8:23 am
What are you talking about Another Republican @ 8:18?
“California has really had to cut government services so they do not sound like they are any better off than Georgia.”
California has a net gain of 135,000 mostly high paying private sector jobs this year. Is that Obama’s fault too?
Where are the jobs Georgia?
Kanarstead
August 18th, 2011
8:24 am
Another Republican seems to have a lot of excuses.
Jim MacIntosh
August 18th, 2011
8:25 am
Kanarstead asked: “Why is Georgia failing so bad.”
Just spit-balling here:
Perhaps because it has thousands of students who would not have graduated high school without teachers cheating on CRCT testing?
Perhaps it has something to do with it having the largest black population in the country who think “being white” is a bad thing and would rather skip school and become an overnight millionaire playing basketball (Me be like LeBron!)?
Perhaps it has something to do with employers staying away from hiring hispanic applicants because Georgia has one of the highest percentages of “undocumented workers” in the country?
I could go on.
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:25 am
Fellow independent.
HD had a slump where the new stores of Lowes were getting the best of them.
HD got a new CEO (after crummy Nardeli), new stores and better locations and now are getting the best of Lowes.
I thought it was Steve Wynn who knocked Obama.
Langone did too but not as dramatically as Wynn.
Robert
August 18th, 2011
8:26 am
@darkside You are trying to compare North Dakota to Gerogia…. There are more people living in Gwinnet county that the entire state of North Dakota. Yeah thats a fair anlogy there…LOL
USMC
August 18th, 2011
8:26 am
Comrade Obama is a nice guy but an Idiot who is a clueless “buffoon” when it comes to CREATING jobs and LEADERSHIP. Marxism will not work in America.
Comrade Barak Obama is the most UNQUALIFIED President in the History of the United States.
Are we really surprised?
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:27 am
While W was making a mess, why didn’t Langone, Wynn, Tea Party folks speak up about the 2 trillion per term deficit spending.
Or blast Greenspan who W should have replaced.
Greenspan Fed chairman for nearly 20 years.
Way too long for a guy who refused to use the “brakes” to prevent two bubbles.
D. DuB
August 18th, 2011
8:28 am
I agree with Warren Buffet, the super rich have been pampered too long. I admire him for stepping up & saying they, including himself, could bare to pay more tax. He is absolutely correct about them being able to take the burden off of the poor & us middle income tax payers. He openly said he paid 17%-18% on his taxable income, while I paid 26%. Stop blaming the president when it’s your congress persons fault (ours too for voting them in). Everyone knows George, & you who voted for him, did this to us.
willydoit?
August 18th, 2011
8:30 am
Another Independent
The housing bubble was created under Clinton and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac programs. Most of the problems can still be traced back to two congressmen….Barney Frank and Chris Dodd (both Democrats)
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:30 am
@Kanarstead.
I am not a Republican or Democrat though I have been both at one time.
Too much group thinking in both of them for me.
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:31 am
What is the unemployment rate for California?
With all those new job there, why are you spinning your wheels here?
Point of Order
August 18th, 2011
8:32 am
Just a side note on taxing the super-rich. Theu are the people investing in triple-tax-free bonds that are building your highways and sewer systems,
Kanarstead
August 18th, 2011
8:34 am
“What is the unemployment rate for California?”
Its still high, but they are adding jobs to their economy, good high paying jobs.
Georgia has NOTHING going for it right now. WHY?
william
August 18th, 2011
8:34 am
Oh yeah … I almost forgotted.
I got’s me a plan … yep that’s right!
I can’t release it now ’cause it’s super top secret!
It gonna make y’all some jobs…
it’s comin, I swear .. I was thinking ’bout it yesterday in the back of my super bus .. y’all should see it, it’s amazin’, i hear it cost like a trillion dollars or somethin’ can you believe it.. … I’m a waitin ’cause y’all don’t need jobs now …
Love Y’all!
Think Now is Scary!
Vote For Barry 2012
(I made that up myself!)
Your Comrad,
Barry O’
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:35 am
Clinton was responsible for the high tech bubble.
W was responsible for the housing and oil bubbles (with an assist from China).
Republicans had the WH and Congress from 2000-2006.
So a gay guy was such a terror that he was able to intimidate and get his way?
That’s what the excuse is for not blocking his bad ideas?
If you have both houses of congress and the WH, the bubble is on u.
Truth
August 18th, 2011
8:36 am
Shrink the size of Federal & State Government and leave the money in local communities. Why? I know better how to handle my finances than someone else. Also, I can communicate with my local leaders at breakfast, lunch, dinner, ballgame, church, etc. This way the leaders can hear the feedback and have skin in the game.
no money
August 18th, 2011
8:37 am
the real unemployment rate is closer to 20% than 10%. This 10% rate published by the government is a total scam. The economy’s worse than ever due to incompetence and fraud in DC and the state capital. Don’t look for things to improve soon–reelection is around the corner and all the “leaders” care about is getting votes for entitlements.
Reality
August 18th, 2011
8:38 am
The reality is that Obama has worked for everything that is or would have been good for middle class Americans. And, I mean everything.
Those that cannot clearly see this are either simply dumb or have been brain washed by the evil machine (FOXnews, republicans, tea party).
Yeah, Yeah…. Arnold S. makes $5 million a year. Let’s NOT tax him. He shouldn’t pay his share of taxes. Let’s just tax the middle class. Yeah, the middle class. The rich need their money. Leave them alone.
Let the middle class get poorer and poorer. Yeah. Then, let’s take away any of those evil federal programs. When the middle class lose their jobs, they don’t need unemployment, or such. The old don’t need social security or medicare/medicaid. All of this is just government “waste”. After all, the most wealthy don’t need this stuff, so why does anyone else?
Also, let’s just give corporations anything they want. In fact, in Georgia, let’s pay THEM to come here. Yeah. Let’s use our tax dollars to pay the corporations. That sounds like a plan. Maybe we can hope that they will hire a hundred or so people.
The republicans are certainly something else!
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:39 am
@Kanarstead.
Dude it is a frustrating time.
But u can tell I am an independent because I am arguing with both parties.
Try not to jump to conclusions.
I’ve been a Georgian a long time and the same folks who were Dems for decades have merely become Republicans.
Both parties full of lawyers looking after their cronies.
Our state government is not very good with either one.
Jean
August 18th, 2011
8:39 am
So… a slightly lower rate of unemployment in Texas is Gov. Perry’s “Texas miracle,” while higher unemployment in Georgia is Washington’s fault?
Truth
August 18th, 2011
8:39 am
Reality:
Who creates jobs?
Reality
August 18th, 2011
8:43 am
I love that Warren Buffett – yes, the billionaire investment dude – admitted that he paid a lower tax rate than some of his employees that make under $50,000 a year. Finally, an honest man.
He also said that the rich SHOULD be paying their fair share of taxes instead of continuing this CRAZY tax cut they enjoy from the Bush era.
momof3
August 18th, 2011
8:43 am
art thomas 8:11, Jim MacIntosh 8:25—– well said. Only have one thing to add…….Coming soon to your city…..Flash Mob attacks. Of course when the attacks happen here it will be the fault of the evil rich.
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:44 am
What does the Left think of Obama’s continuing W’s war in Afghanistan with little improvement in results?
D. DuB
August 18th, 2011
8:47 am
@ point of order. Again from Mr. Buffet ” investors invest to make money”. Those bonds pay a dividend & each cost the same as the tuition for 2 semesters of higher education as a starting point. As you said,”TAX-FREE”.
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:48 am
@Jean.
I agree.
Both Texas presidents, LBJ and W, have been very dumb war presidents. (bad strategies)
How can a war end when the enemy just escapes across the border as we allowed in Vietnam and Afghanistan? In both wars, they can regroup and come back for more forever.
I do not want another Texan with a bogus economic miracle mostly die to the high price of oil.
Another independent
August 18th, 2011
8:48 am
due, not die.
Reality
August 18th, 2011
8:48 am
Truth – Obviously you have been brain washed by the evil machine. That is one of their special ‘tag line’ sayings that they repeat so often that you seem to have bought in to it.
The wealthy do not create jobs. It has been proven that the wealthy hold on to their money. Do you really think that even Warren Buffett walks around with magic dust and sprinkles it here and there and suddenly “pop” a job appears???? If not Warren, then maybe you think that Arnold does it? Give me a break!!
The economy itself creates jobs. It is a cycle that either spirals up or down. Get some education from a reliable source and stop watching FOXnews!
Truth
August 18th, 2011
8:51 am
Reality:
It must be nice that you are so smart and the rest of us so dumb.
Who pays taxes? The private sector or the public?
Answer: The private sector.
ABC = 123
August 18th, 2011
8:51 am
Reality, your politics are blinding you and making you as ignorant as a “fox news” watcher. (That comment alone means you’re an Obama lover).
Your comment “Also, let’s just give corporations anything they want. In fact, in Georgia, let’s pay THEM to come here. Yeah. Let’s use our tax dollars to pay the corporations.” just shows how ignorant you really are when it comes to economics, employment and taxes. Are you a CRCT cheater??
When GA begs a company to build a manufacturing plant here, it is so that GA residents have a place to work. JOBS!!! That money is then spent on groceries, housing, movie tickets, etc. All that generates TAX dollars for the state and community.
But let’s incorporate your commie, leftist motivated policy of taxing corporations. Do you honestly think corporations will just blindly pay those taxes? NO! They will lay off workers and raise the price of their products to cover the cost. They will move to a lower tax state == unemployment. It just means higher prices and higher unemployment.
It’s called ECON-101. Turn off the Obama love and think for yourself. Time for you to go back to kindergarten.
D. DuB
August 18th, 2011
8:52 am
BTW the sewer systems are so old they are bursting from the high temperatures. This is happening all over the country. There were only 3 time periods they were being built dating as far back as 1905 to start.
Truth
August 18th, 2011
8:52 am
Reality:
I actually watch MSNBC because I like to study how you think. I actually find MSNBC very amusing.
Truth
August 18th, 2011
8:54 am
Reality:
You should watch Al Sharpton and listen to how he creates his own language. It is better than Comedy Central.
Reality
August 18th, 2011
8:54 am
Truth – We have given the rich this tax cut for many years now. If, as you seem to think, the rich create jobs, why hasn’t the unemployment gone down? Can’t you see that you, the republicans, FOXnews, etc. are wrong?
And, corporations are CURRENTLY enjoying record PROFITS. However, the chose to hold on to this money and not re-invest it (which is the logical thing to do, right?). Instead, they are paying record salaries to their top managment.
If they were to re-invest it, that WOULD create jobs and help to expand the economy.
Instead, the Board of Directors are voting to given themselves bonuses and pay raises. And remember, they aren’t paying their far taxes on this money either.
Can’t you see that this is a re-distribution of wealth from the middle class to the most wealthy?
momof3
August 18th, 2011
8:57 am
And for all of you who think Obama cares so much for you, go back and look at his charitable giving before he became President. Pitiful. My husband and I made much less than him in the years before he became Prez and gave THOUSANDS more than him. Pathetic.
JDW
August 18th, 2011
8:57 am
Damn that Obama and Washington! Here we are with outstanding Republican Leadership and our unemployment rate is worse than it has been in 10 years or for those that can count since our outstanding Republicans took control from those pesky Dems. Of course these problems have nothing to do with…
-Our transportation woes and absolutely no plan to address them
-Leading the nation in banking failures
-No coherent water supply strategy for the main employment center of the state
-Our pitiful educational standing and no plan to address that either
-Drastic decreases in employment in education and other governmental functions so we can keep up the tax cutting for the “job creators”
-No plan what so ever to increase the skills of our workforce
Nah none of that matters at all…
15%
August 18th, 2011
8:59 am
Upper income individuals earn most of their money from capital gains (sale of assets) and dividends from stock. Capital gains and dividends are taxed at 15%. Why? Because the upper income group make the rules. Regular chumps: most are paying taxes on salary at 28%+. Enjoy–that’s how it works in DC! You got conned!