Jerry sent me an article from the Orange County register on the number of companies moving out of California.  As we’ll see, other states should be examining the jobs environment in their state and determining whether their state invites business.

A National Review article, often quoted by conservative pundits, repeats the fact that Texas has created the majority of new jobs in this country during 2010.  This net new job growth may be coming at the expense of other states.

Latest BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) data shows that Texas had net job growth of 251,000 jobs from March 2010 to March 2011.   Some might dismiss job growth in Texas as oil related but the data tells a different tale. While other states were laying off government employees, Texas added 15,000 government jobs  (pg. 9)  The gains were spread among all categories but the 42,000 job increase in health and education services was second only to the 88,000 jobs created in the Professional and Business Service category. 

During that same time, California had net job growth of 171,000.  California has 38 million people compared to Texas’ 25 million.  New York, with a population of 20 million, created only 56,000 jobs.  Florida’s 19 million population created just 51,000 jobs. Arkansas, with a relatively small population of 3 million, created 69,000 jobs, more than either New York or Florida.  Illinois net job growth was 77,000 with a 13 million population.  New Jersey, another populous eastern state, had a small job loss. (Population estimates)

States announce programs that tout how many jobs they are creating but is anyone actually keeping count? An investigation in North Carolina reveals that the published numbers are suspicious, at best.

The federal government announces jobs created or saved by the stimulus program but they rely on the states to keep track of the numbers attributable to stimulus dollars.  Here’s a tale of keeping count – or not – of jobs created through the stimulus program.

Some people in an industry – medical marijuana – that are keeping count of jobs created in Montana.
As Frank would say, “Doobie-doobie-doo”

Next Friday the BLS releases its monthly job data report.  Let’s hope that it is not as disappointing – and market rattling – as this last month’s data.