Reading Between the Lines on Latest Jobs Report

02/01/2021
by Eric Peterson, director of the Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation Policy At first glance, the December State Employment and Unemployment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics appeared positive for Louisiana. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals there is still a long way to go in the state’s economic recovery. The...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, occupational licensing, regulatory reform, tax reform

Damage of Louisiana’s Shutdown Becoming Clearer

By Daniel J. Erspamer
10/09/2020
As the Louisiana legislature debates adding checks and balances to the state’s emergency powers, reports from both the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) are painting a picture of just how economically damaging the state’s shutdown has been. Let’s start with the worst news. The BEA reported Louisiana’s economy shrank...

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Get Louisiana Working, Real GDP, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate

Louisiana Lags as America Recovers

By Daniel J. Erspamer
09/11/2020
The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed the U.S. economy is about halfway to recovery. Meanwhile, Louisiana job numbers are still falling well behind the rest of the nation. Overall, the report wasn’t surprising, as it revealed employment rose by 1.4 million in the month of August while the unemployment...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economy, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity

Could Expanding Unemployment Insurance Hurt Louisiana’s Recovery?

By Daniel J. Erspamer
08/24/2020
Last week saw the release of some of best economic news for the state of Louisiana in a long time. According to the Department of Labor’s data for the week ending August 8, the number of Louisianans on unemployment insurance decreased by more than 53,000. This comes on the heels of a 27,000-person decrease during...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Economic Analysis, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, regulatory reform, tax reform

National, Local Job Trends Show Better Signs for Louisiana

08/13/2020
Over the last few weeks, a trend has emerged showing less Louisianans filing for unemployment than previous weeks. This week saw this pattern continue, with just under 10,000 people filing for unemployment, a decrease of almost 3,500 from the previous week. This was, once again, a new low since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The number...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economic Growth, Get Louisiana Working, Jobs, jobs and opportunity

Initial Unemployment Claims Spike Following Bar Closures

07/24/2020
After faint signs of hope of economic recovery in recent weeks, the decision to shut down bars for the second time seems to be taking a toll on Louisianans’ livelihoods. Governor John Bel Edwards issued the order to close all bars in the state on July 13. The Department of Labor released its latest unemployment data Thursday, and the...

TAGS: COVID-19, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, initial unemployment, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

Some Good News in Latest Jobs Numbers, But Will They Hold?

07/17/2020
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest state-by-state jobs numbers, which featured some overall good news for Louisiana. The state’s June unemployment rate dropped by 4.5 percent, dipping under 10 percent for the first time in months. While this headline shows some improvement in Louisiana’s economic situation, there are reasons to take...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, Economy, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

July Sees Major Spike in Louisiana Unemployment Claims

07/09/2020
Following the revelation that Louisiana suffered one of the worst Q1 economic declines in the nation, today’s weekly unemployment claims announcement contains even more bad news for Louisianans. Despite remaining steady over the past six weeks, the Department of Labor reports the week of July 4 saw a 45 percent increase in the number of...

TAGS: Budget, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, legal reform, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

Louisiana Economy Suffers One of Worst Declines in the Nation

07/08/2020
Due to the damage caused by COVID-19 and government shutdowns, it’s been clear that no state was going to experience any economic growth through the first half of the year. Instead, the major question has revolved around which states’ economies would be hit the hardest. Well the first quarter results are in, and the numbers...

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, COVID-19, GDP, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, Labor