For the first time since 1984, unemployment fell in every state and D.C. last year, By Niraj Chokshi, March 4, 2015, Washington Post: “For the first time in three decades, unemployment fell in every state and the District of Columbia last year. The last time that happened, in 1984, Apple was unveiling the original Macintosh. Nearly half the nation — 24 states — saw the unemployment rate drop by one percentage point or more last year. Illinois saw the biggest decline, of 2 percentage points. Colorado, North Carolina and Ohio each saw a 1.8 point decline. North Dakota and Alaska saw the smallest declines of 0.1 percentage points…”
Day: March 6, 2015
Racial Disparities in School Discipline – Wisconsin
Wisconsin black suspension rate highest in U.S. for high schools, By Erin Richards, March 1, 2015, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Wisconsin high schools suspend black students at a greater rate than any other state in the country, according to a new report highlighting racial disparities in discipline and the impact on achievement. The news doesn’t get much better at the younger grades. The state trailed only Missouri in having the largest disparity in suspension rates between black and white elementary school students in 2011-’12, according to the report. Among districts nationwide with large numbers of K-8 schools, Milwaukee Public Schools suspended more children than anyone else that year…”
SNAP Job Training Requirements – Wisconsin
Job training for food stamps will cost state taxpayers $18 million more through 2017, By Jason Stein, March 3, 2015, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “State taxpayers will pay more than $18 million over the next two years as nearly 130,000 more food stamp recipients in Wisconsin will have to receive job training under a requirement advanced by Gov. Scott Walker. The extra training costs come as Walker seeks drug testing for some recipients of FoodShare and other welfare programs at more than $500,000 a year. So far on Tuesday, Walker administration officials have provided only partial figures on the cost — or potential savings — associated with the drug testing as the administration briefs members of the Joint Finance Committee…”