Two weeks ago, the state’s Economic Development Department
reported that Stanislaus County’s jobless rate had risen to 11.3
percent in July
– a month when unemployment usually falls. That means roughly
27,200 people who would like to be employed aren’t. In San Joaquin
County, it’s 10.6 percent; in Merced County 12.1 percent.
Two weeks ago, the state’s Economic Development Department reported that Stanislaus County’s jobless rate had risen to 11.3 percent in July – a month when unemployment usually falls. That means roughly 27,200 people who would like to be employed aren’t. In San Joaquin County, it’s 10.6 percent; in Merced County 12.1 percent.
The California Budget Project released its annual Labor Day report last week, calling it “Little to Celebrate.” Most alarming among its dismal statistics is a statewide unemployment rate of 7.6 percent: the highest in 12 years and the fourth-highest in the nation.
Blame the collapse of the housing market, which has hit three sectors especially hard: residential construction, specialty trades such as plumbing and electrical work, and real estate. …
As the state’s recession deepens, so does economic distress. CalWORKS, the state’s biggest welfare program, had nearly 20,000 more clients in May 2008 than in May 2007. Approximately 95,000 more California households are getting food stamps; 58,000 more children are enrolled in Healthy Families, up 7.1 percent. In Stanislaus County, 41,800 people were getting some form of government assistance in March.
While some cuts will be necessary to close the state’s $15 billion budget gap, modest targeted tax increases will be needed to keep funds flowing to counties so that laid-off workers and their families will be able to access the basic safety net programs the state offers – food stamps, Healthy Families and CalWORKS.
This editorial first appeared in the Modesto Bee last week.
