MD unemployment rate drops

Maryland's unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent (PDF) in November, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after stalling at 6.7 percent for the previous two months. This is the lowest unemployment rate Maryland has seen in almost five years.

The state unemployment rate fell in November because the number of employed Marylanders rose by just over 8,800 workers. The number of jobs in Maryland (these are two different measures-some jobs may be held by nonresidents, while some Marylanders may work outside the state) also went up, by roughly the same amount.

While this is welcome news, Maryland's economy still has a long way to go as it slowly recovers from the Great Recession. And the slow recovery is likely to continue: the Board of Revenue Estimates projected recently that job growth will continue to be sluggish in 2014 (PDF), at just 1.5 percent.

Maryland lawmakers will have the opportunity to take action in 2014 on a number of issues that could help working families, whether it's promoting job creation directly, providing supports to help while workers are between jobs, or investing in the things that make our state great (like our natural environment, our schools and hospitals, or the infrastructure that connects us. We'll be watching to see what they do. 

MD unemployment rate 6.7% in Sept/Oct

Maryland's unemployment rate was 6.7 percent for the past two months, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  This is down from 7 percent unemployment in August.

In part this decrease is due to about 9,500 fewer unemployed Marylanders, and about 8,400 more who are now employed. Both these numbers are headed in the right direction, which is heartening.

However, there are also still 29,300 fewer Marylanders in the labor force compared to the peak last January. A smaller labor force helps the unemployment rate go down, but it hurts our economy. Some may leave the labor force due to retirement, to return to school, or through migration. However, BLS only counts those who have been working or actively looking for work recently as members of the labor force.  Many folks who would like to work fall off the count because they have been unemployed for so long that they are too discouraged to look for work.

BLS provides us with state employment figures every month. They are an important metric of how our economy is doing, but they don't tell the whole story. The next time these figures are released, go to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics page on BLS's website, click on the Maryland link on the right-hand sidebar, and look at the graphs they provide (pay attention to the scale of the y-axis, and make sure you're looking at seasonally adjusted data). You'll be able to see how the latest data corresponds to peaks and troughs, and trends over time. But remember that the graphs only tell part of the story, so keep reading this blog for more insightful analysis of Maryland's economic policy landscape.

Bleak national employment picture changed little in August

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics today announced the national employment and unemployment numbers for August.

The economy added 169,000 jobs - better than July, but not nearly the job growth we would expect in even an average economic recovery.

The unemployment rate edged down to 7.3 percent from July's 7.4 percent. At 7.1 percent in July, Maryland's unemployment rate is now approaching the national average. Historically, Maryland unemployment has remained significantly below the US rate.

The number of long-term unemployed (over 27 weeks) was essentially unchanged at 4.3 million. last week, we discussed the unprecedented levels of long-term employment, and how it affects communities, families and children in addition to the workers themselves.

The Week Ahead, Dog Days of August Edition

Last week we blogged about the need to reform corporate income taxes as part of any rate-cut deal, and about why "the tax-free week" is a wasteful, expensive and ineffective program. Also Marceline White of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition guest-blogged about how Baltimore City's proposed use of foreclosure settlement funds would not actually help victims of foreclosures. 

For the week of August 12th through the 18th:

Monday, August 12 the Task Force to Study Economic Development and Apprenticeships meets at 3 pm in Annapolis.


Wednesday August 14 the Telemedicine Task Force Telemedicine Solutions And Standards Advisory Group meets at 9:30 am in Baltimore

Wednesday August 14 - Saturday August  17; The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) holds its annual conference in Ocean City. The MACo conference is the traditional start of political and policy-making activity in preparation for the January legislative session. The Governor's address to the conference on Saturday is often our first look at the Administration's top priorities for the coming year - in this case Martin O'Malley's last year as Governor.

On Thursday, August 15, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases data on inflation and wages for July.

Stay cool.  

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about the cuts to food assistance that will arrive this fall, absent action from Congress. Also last week, Neil Bergsman appeared on WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks to talk about taxes in Maryland. You can hear a streaming podcast of the show here. Neil's segment can be heard around the 19 minute mark.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released several reports last week, including the monthly employment numbers by state and metropolitan area for June 2013 (not seasonally adjusted). Overall, the national unemployment rate this June was 7.8 percent, which was 0.6 percentage points lower than last June. Maryland's non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in June, up from 6.9 percent in May. The Employment Situation Summary for July 2013 reported that the national unemployment rate reduced lightly by 0.8 percentage points, at 7.4 percent. Very little change occurred in most labor sectors and among most worker demographics since June.  

For the week of August 5th through the 11th:

• On Tuesday, August 6th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey at 10:00 am.
• On Wednesday, August 7th, the Workgroup on Access to Habilitative Services Benefits meets at 9:30 am at the Maryland Insurance Administration Hearing Room on the 24th Floor of St. Paul Plaza at 200 St. Paul Place in Baltimore.
• Later on Wednesday, the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council will be reviewing programs and budgetary issues for fiscal year 2014 at 10:00 am at the Loyola University Graduate Center at 8890 McGaw Road in Columbia.
• Also at 10:00 am on Wednesday, the Board of Environmental Health Specialists assembles at the Howard County Bureau of Utilities Building at 8270 Old Montgomery Road in Columbia. They may discuss/vote on proposed regulations, and a portion of the meeting may be held in closed session.
• Wednesday afternoon, the General Provisions Article Review Committee meets at 2:00 pm in room 241 of the House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street in Annapolis. They will be reviewing committee drafts.
• On Thursday, August 8th, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Board of Directors have a board meeting at 9:00 am in Suite 630 of 1 Calvert Plaza at 201 E. Baltimore Street in Baltimore. Participants may attend in person or by conference call. For dial-in instructions, click here.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about Maryland's showing in the Census Bureau's State and Local Government Finance Summary for 2011.

Also last week, the Maryland Insurance Commissioner released the premium rates for the individual health care plans to be sold through the state's insurance exchange in October. The premiums are much lower than originally estimated and are among the lowest of the states who so far have released cost information for their exchange options.

For the week of July 29th through August 4th:

• On Monday, July 29th, the Alcoholic Beverages Article Review Committee meets to continue the review of special venue licenses at 5pm  in the Judiciary Training Room at 2009F Commerce Park Drive in Annapolis.
• On Tuesday, July 30th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will publish the monthly Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment figures for June 2013.
• Also on Tuesday, the Council for the Procurement of Health, Education, and Social Services meets at 1:30 pm in room 241 of the House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street in Annapolis. The meeting subject is state procurement.
• Later on Tuesday, the Maryland Health Care Commission Center for Information Services and Analysis will be holding its third meeting of the Performance Practitioner Measurement Work Group from 3pm to 5pm at the Maryland Health Care Commission building at 4160 Patterson Avenue in Baltimore.
• On Wednesday, July 31, the Capital Debt Affordability Committee gathers at 1:30pm in the Assembly Room (114-116) at the Goldstein Treasury Building on 80 Calvert Street in Annapolis to conduct a legislative review and to examine the size and condition of tax-supported debt.
• Later on Wednesday, the Workgroup on Access to Habilitative Services Benefits meets from 2pm-4pm in the Maryland Insurance Administration Hearing Room on the 24th floor of St. Paul Plaza at 200 St. Paul Place in Baltimore. 
• On Friday, August 2, BLS will issue its Employment Situation report for July.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about sales tax modernization strategies for Maryland and posted about the realities of personal budgeting for low-wage workers in the state.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a number of economic news releases last week. Its earnings report shows that the seasonally adjusted median weekly earnings in the second quarter of 2013 were $775, up a minor $6 from the previous quarter. The Employment Cost Index figures for the three-month period ending in March of this year indicate overall compensation levels for civilian workers were steady from the previous period, with wages increasing by 0.5 percent and benefit costs decreasing 0.1 percent. The Consumer Price Index report for June lists the CPI as having increased a half of a percent last month, with the increases in gas prices accounting for the majority of this change.The index for non-food and non-energy goods increased by 0.2 percent, staying level with the figures for May. The preliminary multifactor productivity trends analysis (which measures the change in output per unit of combined capital and labor input) for 2012 states that productivity in the private nonfarm business sector increased at a 0.9 percent annual rate last year, which is the same annual rate the nation experienced from 1987 to 2012. The unemployment numbers reported the state's unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points in June to 7 percent. The private sector added over 6,000 jobs last month, reaching the highest employment level for the sector since June of 2008. Government jobs decreased by nearly 2,000 jobs during that period. Maryland's unemployment levels still remain below the national average of 7.6 percent.

Also last week, the Maryland State Retirement Retirement and Pension System published a press release proclaiming their investment portfolio earned a 10.6 percent return last fiscal year. This achievement went well beyond the state's target of 7.75 percent.

For the week of July 22nd through the 28th:

• On Wednesday, July 24th, the Board of Public Works will hold a general meeting at 10am in the Assembly Room of the Goldstein Treasury Building at 80 Calvert Street in Annapolis.
• Later on Wednesday,  Progressive Maryland, Common Cause, and Delegate Mary Washington are hosting a joint event, screening Bill Moyers' acclaimed film "The United States of ALEC" at the Baltimore County Public Library at 320 York Road in Towson. The documentary details the activities of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group of corporate lobbyists who author "model legislation" that attacks labor rights and promoting corporate interests and privatization, to be used by member legislators in their home states. Following the screening, there will be a discussion. Directions and RSVP information is available here.
• On Thursday, July 25 the Special Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities will conduct a site visit to the Baltimore City Detention Center at 10am.
• Later on Thursday, the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee will meet from 1pm to 3pm at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's lobby level conference room L-3 at 201 W. Preston Street in Baltimore. The agenda is to be announced.

The Week Ahead

Last week on the blog, we celebrated the end of the state fiscal year by reviewing last year's budgetary process. The new fiscal year for the state begins today, and the state's gas tax and toll increases are now in effect.

On Thursday of last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their employment and wage figures for the fourth quarter of 2012, covering the nation's 329 largest counties. Each of the eight Maryland counties included in the report saw employment growth during that period, with Baltimore City seeing the most growth (a 6.1 percent increase over the quarter). A summary of the report can be found here.  

A few weeks ago, Neil Bergsman presented to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore about the effects of sequestration on that region of the state. Coverage from WMDT of that presentation can be found here.

There are few events this week due to the July 4th holiday. Have a happy and safe Independence Day.

For the week of July 1st through 7th:

• On Monday, July 1st (the first day of fiscal year 2014), the Task Force to Study Economic Development and Apprenticeships hosts an organizational meeting at 3pm in room 230 of the House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street in Annapolis. They will also provide a background on current apprenticeship programs.
• On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its Metropolitan Area Employment report for May at 10am.
• On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Board of Public Works meets at 10am in the Governor's Reception Room on the second floor of the State House in Annapolis. The meeting's agenda can be found here. It includes approval for an upcoming $475 million sale of state bonds; $6 million in local library projects; and a $71 million 5-year contract for lottery advertising, marketing and related services. 
• Thursday July 4th is Independence Day. Most government offices are closed. Have fun and be safe.
• On Friday, July 5th, the BLS will publish its Employment Situation figures for June. MBPTI's offices will be closed on Friday.

The Week Ahead

Last Monday MBTPI took a trip to Salisbury, where Neil presented to the Community Foundation on the effects of sequestration on the Eastern Shore. Also last week, we blogged about the implications of the proposed (and subsequently failed) farm bill legislation on the state. We also wrote about the audit of the District of Columbia's earned sick leave legislation and how it has not harmed business activity in the District.

State unemployment figures for May were released on Friday. Last month, 6.7 percent of working Marylanders were unemployed. This was up two tenths of a percentage point from the previous month. 

Sunday June 30 is the last day of Fiscal Year 2013 for Maryland state and local governments. MBTPI urges everyone to celebrate safely.

For the week of June 24th through June 30th:

• On Monday, June 24th, the Alcoholic Beverages Article Review Committee meets to review special venue licenses at 5pm in the Judiciary Training Room at 2009F Commerce Park Drive in Annapolis.On Friday, June 28th at 10am, BLS will publish its report on the multifactor productivity trends for 2012.
• On Tuesday, June 25th, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission is hosting a public forum with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for safety net providers, MCOs, and commercial carriers from 10am to noon at the UMBC Tech Center Lobby at 1450 South Rolling Road in Baltimore.
• Also at 10am on Tuesday, the Maryland Venture Fund Authority will have a conference call to update on InvestMaryland investments and to decide on their next steps for investing. The number and conference code can be found here.
• Later on Tuesday, the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission convenes at 1pm in the Commission Room of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency at 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330 in Baltimore. They will update on agency activities and review proposals for a Prince George's County casino.
• Additionally, Maryland Hunger Solutions will be hosting an open house on Tuesday evening from 4pm-7pm at 2002 Clipper Park Road, Suite 310 in Baltimore. For more information on the event and how to RSVP, please visit their homepage.
• Finally on Tuesday, the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing will review and evaluate state sentencing guidelines and policies at 4:30pm in the Miller West I Senate Office Building on 11 Bladen Street in Annapolis.
• On Wednesday, June 26th, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) will meet at 2pm in room 240 of the House Office Building on 6 Bladen Street in Annapolis, where several Local Health Improvement Coalition applicants will present to the MCHRC board.
• On Thursday, June 27th at 10am, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its county employment and wage figures for the fourth quarter of 2012. 
• Also on Thursday, the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee meets from 1pm to 3pm in conference room L-3 at 201 W. Preston Street in Baltimore.

Week Ahead (Memorial Day Edition)

Last week was slow at MBTPI. Here's a look at the week ahead.

For the week of May 27th to June 2nd:

• On Tuesday, May 27^th, the Alcoholic Beverages Article Review Committee meets at 5pm in the Judicial Training room at 2009F Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis.

• On Wednesday, May 28^th, the Board of Public Works will meet at 10am in the Governor’s Reception Room at the State House, Annapolis.

• Additionally on Wednesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its April report on Metropolitan Area Employment at 10am.

• Later on Wednesday, May 29^th, the Health Care Delivery and Financing Joint Committee will convene to discuss the Medicare Waiver at 1pm in Room 240 of the House Office Building on 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis.

MD unemployment falls to 6.5 percent

Maryland's unemployment rate fell again, to 6.5 percent in April, according to figures released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The March unemployment rate had previously been estimated at 6.6 percent. April's figures were better than the national rate of 7.5 percent, but still roughly double Maryland's unemployment rate at the start of the Great Recession.

According to the BLS, Maryland's labor force grew while the ranks of the unemployed shrank. Almost 3,700 more Marylanders were employed in April than in March. Compared to April 2012, more than 31,000 more Marylanders were employed last month.

Interestingly, the data from employers showed an opposite trend. Overall, employers reported 6,200 fewer positions in April. Losses were spread broadly across the private sector--the only industries to show job growth were manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; and government. The most likely reason for these conflicting trends is that Maryland workers are either crossing state lines to find work, or they are starting their own businesses and thus do not appear in the second data set.

Week Ahead (Mother's Day Edition)

Yesterday was Mother's Day (hope you didn't need the reminder!), and we're celebrating by highlighting a blog post last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics about working mothers.

Last week we blogged about U.S. Senate action on the internet sales tax, which has the potential to help Maryland businesses as well as state government. We also blogged about how unpopular Maryland is with CEO Magazine. And, we released our latest animated video, on the need for paid sick leave (watch other videos here).

For the week of May 13th through May 19th:

• On Tuesday, May 14th, the Advisory Council for Alternative Response holds their monthly meeting. From 1pm in room 1044 of the Department of Human Resources, 311 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore.
• The Maryland Commission on Artistic Property also meets on Tuesday, at 1:30pm in room 180 of the House Office Building, Annapolis. The Commission will discuss matters related to the State owned art collection.
• Later on Tuesday, the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy meets at 5:30pm at 2009D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis. 
• Finally on Tuesday, the Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission meets from 6-8pm at the Mental Hygiene Administration office at 55 Wade Avenue, Catonsville. 
• On Wednesday, May 15th, the Board of Public Works meets at 10am in the State House, Annapolis.
• On Thursday, May 16th, the Maryland Health Care Commission meets at 1pm in their offices at 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• On Friday, May 17th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases state-level employment figures for April. The initial BLS estimate for March found that Maryland's unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 percent, though the number of unemployed residents fell. However, the national figures for April included positive revisions to the February and March estimates, which may spill over to Maryland's figures.

Employers Add 165k Jobs in April: Previous Estimates Also Increased

According to today's report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added 165,000 more jobs last month. Industries that added jobs included professional and business services, food services and drinking places, retail trade, and health care. The unemployment rate fell slightly, to 7.5 percent, a four year low.

Job creation estimates for February and March were increased by a total of 114,000, a reassuring development as job growth had been seen as particularly weak in March.


Some interesting points about today's jobs report from around the web:

• Dean Baker at the Center for Economic and Policy Research: "One issue worth emphasizing from this and past reports is that there is zero evidence that the prolonged period of high unemployment is due to a lack of skills of the workforce."
• Chad Stone at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "The Fed has recognized that unemployment is too high and there is no immediate threat of inflation.  It’s time for lawmakers to recognize that unemployment is too high and there is no looming debt crisis...Despite 38 months of private-sector job growth there were still 2.6 million fewer jobs on nonfarm payrolls and 2.0 million fewer jobs on private payrolls in April than when the recession began in December 2007."
• Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney of The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution: "As of April, our nation faces a jobs gap of 10 million jobs." They also have a neat calculator where you can input your own job creation rate and see how long it will take the United States to close the jobs gap at that rate.
• By definition, the official unemployment rate does not count those workers who have given up and stopped looking for work, nor does it take into account those who are underemployed. For those figures, you have to look at the alternative measures of unemployment. By the most inclusive measure, unemployment stands at 13.9 percent (that's still significantly below the 17.1 percent it was in late 2009).
• The big problem is still long-term unemployment, according to the New York Times, among many others.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about new family employment figures. This week keep an eye out for the release of our fourth State of Working Maryland 2012 video, on paid sick leave.

For the week of April 29nd through May 5th:

• On Monday, April 29th, the Durable Medical Equipment Provider Task Force discusses recommendations to the Board of Pharmacy regarding which prescription devices it should regulate, from 1-3pm in the Metro Executive Building rooms 108-109, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• Also on Monday, the Alcoholic Beverages Article Review Committee meets to discuss per diem licenses at 5pm in the Judicial Training Room, 2009F Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis.
• On Wednesday, May 1st, the Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority meets at 9am in the Lower Level Conference Room at the One Call Center, 7223 Parkway Drive, Hanover.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases metropolitan level employment figures for March. Preliminary data for February showed declining unemployment rates in all Maryland metros, compared to one year prior (the data is not seasonally adjusted and therefore must be examined by comparing February 2013 with February 2012).
• Also on Wednesday, the Board of Public Works meets at 10am in the State House.
• Wednesday afternoon sees a meeting of the Health Services Cost Review Commission at 1pm in room 100 of 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• On Friday, May 3rd, BLS releases national employment figures for April. Preliminary data for March showed a slight decline in the unemployment rate.

Family unemployment down in 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released national data on unemployment within families today. In 2012, the percentage of families with at least one unemployed member was 10.5 percent, down from 11.5 percent one year prior. 80 percent of families had at least one employed member.

As with other employment statistics, unemployment was higher among Black and Hispanic families, at 16.8 percent and 14.5 percent with at least one unemployed member, respectively.

Female headed households also fared worse, with just 72.4 percent having at least one employed member. Married couples fared better at 81.9 percent; and both the husband and wife were employed in 47.4 percent of married-couple families in 2012. Both parents worked in 59 percent of married-couple families with children, likely reflecting the high cost of child care.

MD unemployment 6.6% in March

Maryland's unemployment rate was unchanged last month, holding steady at 6.6 percent, according to just-released Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on state-level employment figures for March.

While more than 206,000 Marylanders were unemployed, this was the fewest since February 2009, the last time before February this year when the unemployment rate was so low. Of course, as I highlighted in my last post about the national figures, unemployment rates are very different across different sub-populations. Unemployment is likely much higher among minority Marylanders, women, veterans, and young people, to name a few. While BLS does not release monthly figures on these groups at the state level, you can see their preliminary figures for 2012 (PDF). Data on previous years is available about halfway down this page.

Employers located in Maryland added 4,700 jobs in March. Gains were diffusely scattered across multiple industries: construction, manufacturing, financial activities, professional and business services, and education and health. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector lost the most jobs--1,600.

US adds 88k jobs, but 500k leave the work force

National employment trends were mixed in March, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today.

The unemployment rate ticked down one tenth of one percentage point over the last month, to 7.6 percent. Compared to a year ago, the unemployment rate has fallen six tenths of a percentage point.

Minority unemployment rates remain high, but are also improving. Black unemployment was 13.3 percent, down half a percentage point. Hispanic unemployment was 9.2 percent after a similar decline. Teens 16-19 years of age continue to have the highest unemployment rate at 24.2 percent; yet even this group saw their rate drop by almost a full percentage point. Veterans of the second Gulf War also experience high unemployment in the civilian world, with a rate of 9.2 percent.

Employers added 88,000 jobs in March, mostly in the construction, business and professional services, and education and health services sectors. Retail trade lost the most jobs during the month.

More troubling, the labor force participation rate fell two tenths of a percentage point to 63.3 percent as 496,000 Americans stopped working or looking for work.

Unemployment falls in MD

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released state level employment figures for February today. Marylanders unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent, down from the 6.7 percent it had hovered at for three months.

Maryland employers added 10,500 positions in February. They have added 38,200 positions since February 2012.

The job market is slowly improving, but it's important to remember that the number of employed Marylanders only exceeded the number employed before the 2008 recession as of six months ago. Collectively, Maryland has a long way to go before every working family is able to succeed.

The Week Ahead

Last week MBTPI blogged about sequestration and Maryland's annual average employment in 2012. We also testified in support of bills to create a tiered earned income disregard for recipients of temporary cash assistance, and earned sick and safe leave for employees.

For the week of March 4th to March 10th:

• Budget hearings are wrapping up. There are a few hearings on higher education, and in the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Most other subcommittees start making decisions. More information can be found on the budget hearing calendar.  
• Other issues with hearings and floor sessions this week include gun control, abolishing the death penalty, corporate tax reform, and possibly transportation funding. More information can be found on the committee calendar and floor agendas (click on a date to get more detailed information).
• Board of Public Works meets Wednesday, March 6th.
• Governor's Office of Healthcare Reform holds a stakeholder meeting in the Joint Hearing Room at 10am on Thursday, March 7th.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases national employment figures for February on Friday, March 8th.
• Bond Bill Saturday is March 9th.

More MDers employed than before Great Recession

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released state annual average employment figures for 2012 today. Maryland's annual average unemployment rate was 6.8 percent, half a percentage point lower than the previous year. This was significantly lower than the US unemployment rate of 8.1 percent.

Click to enlarge

There were also more employed persons in Maryland in 2012 than there were prior to the recession. In 2008 employed Marylanders peaked at 2.89 million. Last year BLS found that there were 2.91 million employed Marylanders.

However, the state's employment to population ratio for those over 16 was still lower than it was in 2007. That year, the employment ratio was 65.2 percent. By 2010 the ratio had fallen to just 61.6 percent. In the past two years it has risen to 63.2 percent, but there is still ground to be made up.