- Unemployment rate falls, but momentum weak in job market, By Neil Irwin, July 2, 2010, Washington Post: “The nation’s unemployment rate fell in June, though hiring by the private sector remained soft, according to a government report Friday. The figures suggest the economic recovery is moving forward this summer, but with weak momentum in the job market. The jobless rate was 9.5 percent last month, down from 9.7 percent in May, a surprising decrease that came as hundreds of thousands of workers dropped out of the labor force. Private employers added 83,000 jobs in June, more than double the rate in May but still below the six-figure job creation numbers that would suggest a strong recovery in employment. Overall, employers shed 125,000 jobs in June; however, that figure was distorted by the Census Bureau cutting 225,000 temporary jobs. The total of 100,000 jobs added, excluding the census, is lower than the 130,000 or so jobs needed every month just to keep up with growth in the labor force, which could put upward pressure on the jobless rate in the months ahead…”
- Unemployment rate dips as more workers leave labor force, By Don Lee, July 2, 2010, Los Angeles Times: “Private employers added a smaller-than-expected 83,000 jobs in June, but the unemployment rate edged down to 9.5% as many workers dropped out of a labor market that remains very sluggish. The Labor Department reported Friday that total payroll employment, including government workers, was down 125,000 in June, reflecting the loss of 225,000 census workers who finished their assignments. The decrease in Census Bureau staffing was expected, but most analysts were looking for stronger job growth in the private sector, which has yet to generate momentum and looms as a major threat to the overall economic recovery. In May, private employers added just 33,000 jobs. What’s more, the average hours worked in manufacturing and other industries in June declined, as did average hourly earnings. Job gains last month were largely in low-paying industries — leisure and hospitality, and the temporary-help industry. Manufacturing payrolls grew by 9,000, but that was much smaller than the average of 25,400 in the prior five months. And the construction industry shed another 22,000 jobs in June…”
Day: July 2, 2010
Summer Meal Programs for Children
- Fewer hungry children getting free summer meals, By Mary Clare Jalonick (AP), June 29, 2010, Washington Post: “Hungry children looking for a free meal this summer may not be able to find one. States and cities have cut funding for summer meal programs as need has skyrocketed, according to a new report from an anti-hunger group that tracked the program in 2009. Budget woes that have left many families hungry are also affecting local governments that find themselves without the needed dollars to feed children while they are out of school. ‘Low-income children across the country clearly bore the brunt of budget cuts,’ said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, which compiled the report released Tuesday. Summer nutrition programs aim to feed children who get most of their nutrition – or sometimes their only real meal of the day – at school. The food research group measures the effectiveness of those summer programs by comparing the number of low-income children receiving meals during the summer with those receiving free and reduced-price school meals during the school year…”
- Study: Fewer low-income kids getting summer school meals, June 29, 2010, CNN.com: “Many summer food programs have been slashed during the recession leaving low-income children with fewer options, a report by the Food Research and Action Center said Tuesday. The budget cuts reduced participation in summer school food programs across the nation over the past years, the anti-hunger group said. This drop in participation comes at a time when more and more families need these food programs, the Center said…”
Voter ID Law – Indiana
Indiana Supreme Court upholds voter ID law, By Eric Bradner, July 1, 2010, Evansville Courier and Press: “Hoosiers still must bring government-issued photo identification with them to the polls after the Indiana Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the state’s voter ID law. In a 4-1 decision, the state’s high court said the law – passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2005 and subject to challenges since then – is regulatory in nature and does not change who is eligible to vote. The court rejected the League of Women Voters’ argument that the law adds a ‘substantive qualification to the right to vote.’ Justice Brent Dickson, writing for the majority, said since voters already were required to identify themselves at polling places by stating and signing their names, the law is regulatory in nature…”