CA now tied for highest unemployment in nation, while our leaders continue to say everything is just fine

California's jobless rate was unchanged at 9.8% in January for the second straight month, and that lack of improvement put the Golden State in a tie with Rhode Island for the worst unemployment in the U.S.

On the other end of the spectrum, North Dakota had the lowest jobless rate, 3.3%, the government said Monday in releasing updated and revised employment data for all 50 states.

California will release its county-by-county breakdown of jobs Friday, which economists expect will reflect the slow growth that is predicted in the state for 2013...

 Nickelsburg said California was feeling the effect of a nationwide payroll tax increase as well as a state-implemented bump in sales tax and income tax on wealthy individuals. The automatic federal budget cuts that kicked in March 1, known as sequestration, will also affect growth...

http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-cal-jobs-20130319,0,4105844.story

California and Rhode Island have the unenviable role of sporting the nation’s worst unemployment rate, according to data released Monday.

Each state has an unemployment rate of 9.8% as of January, the Labor Department said. Nevada — like California ravaged by the housing crisis — now has an unemployment rate of 9.7%, down from 10.2% in December, to move off the bottom of the nation’s jobless ranking.

Oil boom-fueled North Dakota still has the lowest unemployment, though the Peace Garden State’s rate is now 3.3%, up from 3.2%.

The best job gains in January came in Michigan, Washington and Massachusetts, whereas the only statistically significant job drop came in Louisiana, the government agency said.

Compared to January 2012, 40 states and Washington D.C. have lower unemployment rates, 7 states have higher rates, and 3 states aren’t changed.