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Nebraska unemployment rate second lowest among states

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By The Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Aug 29, 2008 - 09:52:00 am CDT

The state’s unemployment rate remains the second lowest in the nation, according to the Nebraska Workforce Development-Department of Labor.

But unemployment claims are up more than one-third from a year ago, the data show. 

Nebraska’s estimated seasonally adjusted state unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in July 2008, according to state estimates released Friday.

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That’s up 0.3 of a percentage point from July 2007 rate and up 0.1 of a percentage point from June.

The state’s total unemployment claims for July were 11,880, up more than 3,2,00, 38 percent, from a year ago.

The national rate for July 2008 rose to 5.7 percent, one full percentage point higher than last year’s July rate.

The number of jobs in Nebraska has increased by 9,263 since July of 2007.

The Lincoln Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Lancaster and Seward counties,  showed an unemployment rate of 3.3 perent, up 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago and from June.

The Lincoln MSA’s measurement of jobs was 174,761, up almost 2,000 from a year ago.

A separate estimate showed 5,700 people in the Lincoln MSA without jobs during July, up 212 for the year, and 165,200 people employed, up 1,601 from a year ago.

Labor Commissioner Fernando Lecuona III said, “In spite of what is happening, not only nationally but in our surrounding states, Nebraska remains strong in employment levels and economically. We continue to see strong prices for crops and record yields being forecasted. These strengths cycle themselves back into the state, which allows employers to continue doing business and job seekers to find work.”

The unemployment rate has been rising, following a typical pattern, the department said, but Nebraska still has the second lowest rate in the nation of 3.4 percent.  South Dakota’s rate is 3.0 percent and Michigan has the highest July unemployment rate in the nation at 8.5%.

More detail about employment in other Nebraska cities, counties and regions is is available on the Web at:  http://www.dol.state.ne.us/nwd/infolink/infolinkindex.htm


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Great wrote on August 29, 2008 12:25 pm:
" So American is doing great vs what the democrats are trying to paint! Hmm... "

 Pat wrote on August 29, 2008 12:43 pm:
" Too bad most of the jobs here aren't keeping more graduates of colleges in the state. It's also too bad we don't have more white collar jobs outside of insurance and banking. "

 Wrong wrote on August 29, 2008 12:53 pm:
" Great, you are so so wrong. Explain to me how America is doing great when we are in the biggest financial crisis since the great depression? Food costs are higher than ever before...America is headed in the wrong direction. You don't have to be a democrat to notice this. "

 iconoclast wrote on August 29, 2008 1:14 pm:
" What story did Great read? Unemployment claims up by more than a third is not great, Great.
Methinks your reading comprehension skills are lacking. Being second best is certainly worth noting, but unemployment is headed up virtually everywhere. Who thinks that is great? "

 R. SCOTT wrote on August 29, 2008 2:06 pm:
" Biggest financial crisis since the great depression? Not in my neighborhood.I recommend watching alot less of the "Sky is falling!"
journalists on that idiot box you base all your opinons on. "

 Ignignokt wrote on August 29, 2008 2:20 pm:
" Adjusted for inflation and comparing historically how much food costs accounted for a family's household expenses, food costs are definitely NOT at an all time high. I also think it's a bit of a stretch to say that this country is in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Is the economy ideal right now? Certainly not, and changes need to be made, but it's not the doom and gloom portrait that people like 'Wrong' are trying to paint. At least they got their name right...it couldn't be more accurate. "

 JJ wrote on August 29, 2008 2:54 pm:
" Well I just got laid off! All my friends have been laid off over a 2 year span! Not pretty not great! Must be one of the rich that are getting richer! "

 Eric wrote on August 29, 2008 3:13 pm:
" A cross section of 1.8 million people in the middle of nowhere is hardly indicative of the nation's economy as a whole. "Residential real estate prices are up in Midtown Manhattan! National housing and lending crisis over!" "

 Ignignokt wrote on August 29, 2008 3:30 pm:
" The lending crisis is the fault of the banks, not the economy. "

 to Wrong wrote on August 29, 2008 4:50 pm:
" We are in a great financial crisis because people bought houses with zero down and zero intelligence bankers let them do it. We have also had absolutly no energy policy for either side for the last 30 years. It is not rosy, but it is not as bad as the gloom and doomers try to make you believe. "

 whatever wrote on August 29, 2008 7:04 pm:
" There is NO money in the banking system. If there were the fed would not be continually making short terms loans at auction to the banks. We have a low unemployment rate now because our economy is fairly unique and well suited and well poised to take advantage of several economic opportunities out there. But make no mistake Nebraska is an anomoly RIGHT NOW. If you live an insular lifestyle and view the world through the prism of "life in Nebraska" you are seriously out of touch with the basic problems in the fundamentals of this economy. "

 ted wrote on August 29, 2008 9:12 pm:
" I've worked continuously for 38 years, saved my money, never bought anything I couldn't afford. I'm not rich. The past 4 years have been the best financial years of my life. The only person I know who is out of a job is my brother who quit to move to Calif. There are help wanted signs on many businesses. Go to work! "

 Bill wrote on August 30, 2008 10:19 am:
" In response to Ted I too have lived my life working not buying anything I
couldn,t afford and being quite comfortable, Im lucky that maybe I have not had situations such as others that can destroy savings amased. I could
litterally be broke if I would help every family member ,friend who needed help during these tuff economic times.Although there are help wanted signs their not paying enough per hour to support any family. I feel for those that are struggling and nobody needs a Ted pointing to a help wanted sign or boasting of a richful portfolio.I would suggest a little more humility Ted. "

 Pro Freedom wrote on August 30, 2008 1:51 pm:
" Our family has done quite well over the last 4 years. We live on under $40,000 and don't have credit cards, enjoy life and help others as well. Don't live above your means and you too can do well. "

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