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Another month of more down than up

By James B. Nelson September 15, 2011

The number of jobs in Wisconsin dropped again in August -- by an estimated 800 positions. But Gov. Scott Walker is 900 jobs closer to achieving his top campaign promise of creating 250,000 private-sector jobs.

How can that be?

The business of estimating the number of jobs in the state is an inexact science. In addition to providing the net number of jobs lost or gained in a particular month, the monthly state Department of Workforce Development report tweaks and "finalizes” the figure for the previous month.

The report issued Sept. 15, 2011 said the state had 2,346,800 private sector jobs at the end of August. That"s 800 fewer than the previous month, the report said.

However, the July jobs picture wasn't quite as bad as initially estimated. The state originally said there was a loss of 12,500 jobs in July -- the deepest single monthly decline since the depths of the 2008-09 recession. That loss was revised to 10,800, which had the effect of "raising” the number of state jobs by 1,700.

Subtract out the 800 lost in August and Walker still finishes the month with a net gain of 900 jobs. Of course, that may or may not be erased when the August numbers are "finalized” in October.

You can see a graphic version of the updated numbers here.

Another note: The monthly jobs reports are just one measuring stick.  A more accurate picture will come in September, when a report is released measuring the first quarter activity for 2011 -- the first three months that Walker was in office.
       
The governor's office says it plans to use those quarterly figures as its official yardstick on the promise.
   
The latest monthly report means there have been a net increase of 29,600 jobs since Walker took over. That means he has 220,400 more to go to meet his pledge.

And this promise remains In the Works.

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