WASHINGTON – Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Wednesday released State Economic Snapshots, a report that contains data on the status of the economic recovery in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Among other findings, the report shows that unemployment rates declined in almost half of all states in March, while 18 states experienced private-sector job gains over the same period. In the past 12 months, 49 states and the District of Columbia gained private-sector jobs; 41 states and the District of Columbia saw an increase in average weekly earnings.
While the economic conditions of some states have improved more quickly than others, every state’s economic outlook has improved since the 2008 recession.
“The national economy has improved substantially since the recession, but we have to remember that not all parts of the country have experienced the full benefits of the recovery,” Maloney said. “This state data gives us some reasons to celebrate, but it also reminds us that there is more work to be done. We must continue to pursue policies that help ensure that all Americans can prosper.”
The report finds that:
- California, Florida, Massachusetts and New York added the largest numbers of private-sector jobs in March, while New Hampshire, Florida, Delaware, Maine and South Dakota saw the largest percentage increases.
- The unemployment rate declined last month in 23 states and the District of Columbia; 15 states saw no change. Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Michigan had the largest declines. Over the past year, 46 states and the District of Columbia reported declines in their unemployment rates, and average weekly earnings increased by 2.3 percent.
- The strongest gains over the past year in average weekly earnings (adjusted for inflation) occurred in the West and mid-Atlantic regions, with Nevada, Delaware, Washington, Virginia and Idaho posting the largest gains. Earnings declined in nine states, with Arkansas experiencing the largest drop.
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