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Mar 9, 2011

Jobs progress: Why does AZ lag nation?

Recent reports show U.S. in economic recovery, yet Arizona stagnates

PHOENIX -- In recent days, it's become clearer than ever that Arizona and the rest of the nation are on diverging paths. The headlines say it all:

U.S. adds 192,000 new jobs in February; unemployment rate dips to 8.9 percent

vs.

Arizona's revised job data gloomy

On March 4, the U.S. got what was called "perhaps the best all-around jobs report in three years," while Arizona learned that its own unemployment rate has been in double digits for 12 consecutive months and has topped the national rate for 31 out of 32 months. Arizona's sagging performance now has economists revising their forecasts, predicting a much longer stretch of pain before our state recovers.

"For two full years, Jan Brewer has blamed others and picked partisan fights instead of taking responsibility for economic recovery," said Andrei Cherny, Arizona Democratic Party chairman. "She wasted precious time and now we see the results as Arizona is left behind in this recovery."

"We need a real economic plan that helps small businesses and the middle class, encourages entrepreneurship, and makes Arizona 'the Solar State,' but in the midst of the worst downturn in Arizona history the Russell Pearce Republicans haven't lifted a finger to help create jobs," Cherny said. "All they have to offer is extremist legislation. We need mainstream leaders who will focus on turning our economy around."