RI unemployment rate dips to 12.9 percent
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Business Talk: Nov. 20, 2009
Sandra Powell of the RI Department of Labor and Training talks about the state's new unemployment numbers.
Published: November 20, 2009
Updated: November 20, 2009
PROVIDENCE—The unemployment rate in Rhode Island has fallen for the first time in nearly three years, dropping slightly to 12.9 percent in October.
The state Department of Labor and Training said on Friday that the state lost 1,100 jobs last month even as the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of one percentage point, from 13 percent. It is the first monthly drop since January 2007.
Spokeswoman Laura Hart says officials are cautiously hopeful the economy is stabilizing.
But the fact that the state is still losing jobs may indicate that some people have stopped looking for work. The data only take into account people actively seeking a job.
Rhode Island had the third worst unemployment rate in the country in October, behind Michigan and Nevada.
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Naw, that still wouldn’t be accurate—The average IQ…has dipped 25.8% would be closer to the truth.
The headline of this article might be wrong. “The average IQ of the General Jack-ASSembly has dipped 12.9%“ would be more accurate.
Posted by Chesapeake on November 21, 2009 at 11:49 am
“Now if you just want to think I’m just a 17 year old kid (going on 18) and dismiss what I say, I understand.“
Never, not a chance in heck. 
Cheasapeake—my opinion of you just went up—again! There aren’t too many people out there that see things the way you see them—and you’re right. The money IS out there, it is just being held closely right now—which is why the economy is so dismal.
Unfortunately, however, it looks like things are going to stay the way they are—for the forseeable future, at least.
Dear Joyce 2,
What State do you live in that isn’t corrupt? A lot f people are insulated from reality. (I’m not suggesting that is you.) However there are a lot of people think there monetary situation reflects the standard.
I can assure you that there are people who live in Rhode Island that wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Many people who live in this state work in Massachusetts and Connecticut . Along with many who work in this state who’s lives and financial situation haven’t changed.
Everybody is waiting right now. Believe this, the money is out there in business and in the home buyers hand. When things start to slowly inch up , they will still wait until there is a progressive forward movement and then there will be a buying frenzy with all the bargain’s. Selling your home right now in effect is like cashing out your 401k which would be crazy when you consider all the great public companies that are offering there stock at bargain prices.
If you love our beaches , if you love the spring when the boats fill the harbor’s and the clam shacks open. The fairs and festivals in the fall and winter months. If you love our state GEOGRAPHICALLY. DO NOT SELL YOUR HOUSE FOR MONETARY REASONS. Unless you have to.
You would be like a mouse walking into a snake cage. The same people who will scream three years from now …how is it, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Now if you just want to think I’m just a 17 year old kid (going on 18) and dismiss what I say, I understand.
But…believe me…all that I say is true…the sky is not falling.
Sorry, Scooby, but yes, you are forced to stay in that corrupt state. How can you sell your home and move out??? Who will go to RI to live?? People are leaving, if they can afford to do so, otherwise you are STUCK!!!
Charlie
If that is the way you feel PACK UP & LEAVE AND QUIT CRYING nobody is forcing you to stay!!!!!
U6 is the more meaningful measure of labor utilization than the usually reported U3. I would guess it is up for RI as is true of the national U6.
The numbers are down because people have moved out of this SH@THOLE of a State
Agreed—but there is no easy way to do that. I’ve held the same thing for a long time—the unemployment numbers go down because people have collected their maximum benefit and are dropped from the count, not because they’ve found work.
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