Is anyone surprised that Scott Walker’s Wisconsin in the only state in the Union to experience statistically significant job losses over the last year?
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 4 states, and was unchanged in Alabama. The largest over-the-year percentage increase occurred in North Dakota (+6.5 percent). The largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment occurred in Wisconsin (-0.9 percent).
Even over the last month, you can see how badly Wisconsin is doing:
In March 2012, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 20 states, and was unchanged in Alabama. The largest over-the-month increase in employment occurred in New York (+19,100), followed by California (+18,200) and Arizona (+13,500). The largest over-the-month decrease in employment occurred in Ohio (-9,500), followed by New Jersey (-8,600) and Wisconsin (-4,500).
Ohio, New Jersey, and Wisconsin are run by austerity-minded Republican governors. If you want to predict how a Romney presidency will impact job creation, just look at how the Republican philosophy is working right now in the states where they have the power to implement their ideas.
