Unemployment: The Hardest-Hit States (CHART)

Michigan has the highest unemployment rate of any state at 14.1 percent, a distinction the state has held for 25 of the last 26 months.

The next-highest unemployment rates after Michigan's were found in Oregon (12.4 percent), Rhode Island and South Carolina (12.1 percent), and California (11.5 percent), according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday. The unemployment rate reached double-digits in five states and the District of Columbia in May. The national rate is 9.4 percent.

Some economists have touted "green shoots" and talked up the recession as "bottoming out" this year. But the misplaced optimism hasn't reached everybody.

Progressive economists say that unemployment will likely continue to rise nationwide into 2010. And while economists cheered lower-than-expected increases in job losses for May, the state-by-state breakdown reveals the unevenness of the recession.

Optimism "hasn't been a problem in Michigan," said Judy Putnam, spokeswoman for the Michigan League for Human Services, in an interview with the Huffington Post. "There were no signs of hope in our numbers."

Putnam said her organization is concerned that nearly 90,000 unemployed workers will exhaust their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. "Our biggest concern is that our safety net for folks coming off unemployment benefits has really shrunk. It's really not there," she said.

Putnam noted that if it includes marginally attached workers, unemployed folks who've quit looking for work, and forced part-timers, the "true" unemployment rate in Michigan is 17.2 percent.

Michigan also boasts the nation's weakest-performing metro area, Detroit, according to the Brookings Institution.

Here's a table from the Economic Policy Institute that compares state unemployment levels:

20090619-unemployment-by-state -

Comments

[ThePeoplesKey]

Michigan gets the shaft Part One:

Michigan and its auto industry have been getting the shaft from the federal government for decades. Not long ago, a debate raged over whether Michigan was getting a fair return on the federal tax dollars it sent to Washington. Michigan has long been a “Sugar Daddy” for the federal government. We’ve sent billions of dollars to Washington, year in and year out, as the state's manufacturing base hummed and the state prospered. It’s hypothesized by leaders in Michigan that most of the money sent to Washington over the years has been “redistributed” to southern states. Recent studies consistently show that Michigan is usually near the bottom of the list in per capita tax dollars returned from the federal government vs. dollars sent to Washington. A review of 2007 figures for federal money spent in Michigan versus the total dollars the state sent to the federal government has revealed that Michigan now ranks 45th out of 50 in the per capita amount of federal funds it receives. It was 44th in 2006. Michigan continues to be a "donor" state when it comes to the federal treasury, while states such as Ohio, Alaska and Alabama continue to receive more money from Washington than they send to Washington. See Part Two . . .

[HowietheScreamer]

To be fair the "Big 3" didn't do themselves any favors. Continuing to fight regulations that would have helped them compete against the likes of Toyota, Honda, Subaru, etc. they chose to stick with out dated models, gas guzzeling cars, and failed to really take quality to heart until it was too late. Much of the Big 3's problems were their own making.

[ThePeoplesKey]

Agreed. I don't forgive them for doing what all corporations are supposed to do. That is, resist any change that negatively affects profits and condone any acts that increase profits, at any cost, and without regard to how such actions affect anyone or anything else . . .

Great system . . .

[ThePeoplesKey]

Michigan gets the shaft Part Two:

A Citizens Research Council of Michigan study concluded; "If Michigan had received the same proportion of all federal payments to states as the proportion of its population to the total U.S. population, an additional $14 billion in direct payments would have been made to Michigan recipients in 2007." With two of our automakers now in bankruptcy and the state government facing a deficit now estimated to be between $450 and $900 million, not to mention our two most populated metro areas now having been determined to be at the bottom (Detroit: 100 out of 100) or near the bottom (Grand Rapids: 83 out of 100) of metro areas in the US most effected by the current economic catastrophe, it seems to this Michigan resident observer that Michigan should be at the top of the list of states receiving the most stimulas funds from Washington and states like Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, Texas, and others should receive no funds at all. See Part Three . . .

[KDog76A]

unfortunately then you your representatives are doing a poor job in Congess, as well as your governor. Your [politicians aren't working hard enough for the people.

[ThePeoplesKey]

Michigan gets the shaft Part Three:

A few facts: In 2005, Michigan sent about $66.3 billion to the federal government. It got back about $64.8 billion, meaning it subsidized federal operations to the tune of about $1.5 billion. That same year, Alabama sent $24.7 billion to the feds and got back $42 billion, for a net profit of $17.3 billion. Tennessee sent $35.9 billion to Washington, got back $48.3 billion, for a profit of $12.4 billion. This inequity has been going on for decades. By comparison, Alabama for example, even in our current economic situation, continues to be prosperous, rich with federal space facilities and related federal contractors (All funded by the federal government through spending gained from states like Michigan), and foreign automobile manufacturers (Also partially funded by federal government spending gained from states like Michigan) while Michigan continues to bleed from every orifice. See Part Four . . .

[KDog76A]

does this count the Chrysler and GM money?

[ThePeoplesKey]

No.

[ThePeoplesKey]

Michigan gets the shaft Part Four:

Given the billions that Michigan has consistently sent to Washington over the last 100 years or so, you'd think the federal government might consider Michigan’s overall contribution to the entire US economy as warranting that the state be the number one destination for federal stimulus funds. Instead, we watch as Senators from states like Tennessee and Alabama gleefully vote to nickel and dime our auto manufacturers and vie for their own stimulus funds for their foreign automobile company campaign contributors who have paid next to nothing to install their manufacturing plants in those states, and continue to receive funding from Washington even as they pay next to zero in federal and state taxes. Is it any wonder Michigan’s manufacturers are finding it difficult to compete in this market? See Part Five . . .

[KDog76A]

Because US auto companies were doing stupid things, instead of tryin to build sustainable, economic machines, they punched out gas guzzling cars designed to fall apart. Couple that with the fact it doesn't take a genious to figure out if you offer 0% financing you are going to lose money.

[ThePeoplesKey]

I can tell you're also not schooled in economics or finance.

The only reason 0% financing might be considered a losing proposition is if the "time that money is received" is a value consideration. Right now, ANY money received from a sale made in prior years would be worth more because dollars are worth less, and so are the products they're paying for.

An argument can be made that moving inventory at a profit now vs. receiving interest on money worth less later is a more profitable solution than lowering prices.

No one can predict the future and in fact, the cars sold previous to today at full price and 0% financing considering current economic conditions probably turned into an unforeseen blessing for the automakers.

Secondly, what I witnessed when the market was booming was people running to snatch up SUV's, Hummers, etc even if they lived in downtown LA or Chicago and had absolutely no use for those vehicle's off-road capabilities and thus, poor mileage attributes. The automakers were simply building to market demand for greater profits. albeit with no thought to what the future might hold.

On the other hand, in the 'early 70's we were warned that the world's oil supply was running out and gas prices would continue to rise for the rest of history. We've all witnessed how that panned out. Completely false. Therefore, I think we can leave a little room for skepticism on the part of automakers when that didn't happen.

[ThePeoplesKey]

Michigan gets the shaft in five parts.

Part Five: Perhaps it’s time Michigan consider taking its weakened but still considerable manufacturing base away from participation in the Union. We could then negotiate favorable trade policies for ourselves with the rest of the world without having to send our governor to beg at the feet of Washington’s elite for mercy. I also suggest that we request from our automobile manufacturers that they close any plants that they have outside of Michigan and rebuild them in their home state instead. If we succeeded to Canada, we could solve a lot of the huge problems we face being a member of the USA in one easy fell swoop. We already share one of the largest (if not the largest) international borders with Canada anyway. Seems to me it would be an easy transition.

[ATLiberal]

I agree with your point over the long haul, but I think it's fair to say that MI has received a pretty substantial boost with 10s of billions of dollars to prop up the auto industry over the last year or so. I think that dulls the point of your spear a bit.

However, as an overall concept, the undeniable fact is that the richest states, which are all blue states with the exception of TX (red) and FL, which is a swing state, put the most money into the Federal Treasury. The red states take the most out. At the same time, they complain the loudest. That's a problem.

[ThePeoplesKey]

True and may I say "finally." However, the funds begged for and received by our Governor and our auto industry are a drop in the bucket compared to the billions upon billions that have been transferred to Washington and never returned in like amounts since WWII.

[desertman]

However today it would seem some of the blue states are the ones most at risk of staggering bankruptcy.

[rodii]

Interesting proposal. The only thing I can see wrong with it is that *IT'S STUPID*.

[ThePeoplesKey]

Gee what a thoughtful and informative comment. I'm guessing . . . Ummmm . . . you're a republitard?

[KDog76A]

going unionless is very Republican, interesting you support this. The idea of becoming part of Canada is as reidiculus as the seceding of Texas. Maybe every state should be able to operate with much more independence, like they did when we first became a nation. We could be more like the European Union (trade agreements, common currency, common interstate infrastructure + a common military but independent from any further interference on a federal level) that way everyone could move to the state that best represents their core beliefs or has the greatest opportunities for whatever niche a person may be looking for.

[HowietheScreamer]

We did try that... it was called Articles of Confederation. It didn't work... that's why we have a Constitution.

[smittyfromthecity]

That's your solution? secession? (I'm assuming that's what you meant; seriously, you couldn't run a spell check after typing all that?) The last time any state tried that, it led to civil war. Besides, what makes you think Canada even wants Michigan, and where did you get your information from anyway?

[ThePeoplesKey]

1. Apparently you didn't actually read the posts. Citizens Research Council of Michigan is the source of the study.

2. And ah, excuse me if my spell checker automatically corrected my spelling to the correctly spelled "succeeded" when I meant "seceded."

3. Canada has a huge stake in Michigan's auto industry which is why they also contributed about 4 billion of their own money to help our auto companies. So if you think they'd rather have a little piece of the industry instead of the whole thing, you are sadly mistaken my ill informed brother.

4. A little history lesson. From the inception of the US, Being in "The Union" (United States) was supposed to be optional. IOW's you had to petition the existing US states to become a member. In the beginning the US was all to willing to add new territory to the country so being accepted was no big deal. Now it is. That's why we've had no new states since the 1950's. Puerto Rico and Guam come to mind as potential candidates but their people don't want to be members. Imagine that. The civil war was the result of a group of states that unsuccessfully tested that premise. We all know the outcome of that exercise. So now we're members by threat of force. That's called "freedom" in washington.

I apologize in advance for any spelling errors . . .

[ThePeoplesKey]

Not to mention control of the vast portion of the Great Lakes, the largest body of fresh water on the planet . . .

[Nova16]

According to Krugman the stock market will crash in either August or September. I've got my supply of pencils and apples and a favorite street corner picked for business. I was born during the depression of the 30's and probably will die in another. I watched three bothers go to war in combat zones and was drafted myself. I can recall as a youngster putting cardboard in the soles of worn out shoes to make them last longer and having a nickle in your pocket made you feel wealthy., it became a problem when it rained. What has been called the "greatest generation" has now seen the greatness of America waste away by greed and disinterest and the period from the end of WW2 and this current economic crisis will never happen again. The market was down over 200 points yesterday and this could be an ominous sign of Krugman's prohecy.

[HowietheScreamer]

Yes, but the "Greatest Generation" let their kids drive everything to crap. With the Boomers it's been nothing but "all about me me me". What's in it for me? Boomer greed has caused all of this problem.

[Kenpasadena]

Thanks, Obama. All the states the voted the most for you have the highest number of people out of work! What will happen when your programs really kick into high gear?

[hjfraser2002]

Oh yeah, blame him. Why do you think they voted for him? They knew this was coming. It is a cascading event. 30 years vs 6 months. Continue that shallow thougt process. It will get you no where.

[Badfickle]

Let me guess you voted for Bush twice right? One would think that given the unmitigated DISASTER that was the Bush presidency and the republicans in general the last 8-10 years that conservatives would a just a modicum of humility when it comes to economics. Conservative economic policies have failed. The republicans failed. Reaganomics failed. I haven't agreed with everything Obama has been doing but given the AWFUL mess you guys left I'd give him some slack.

[PerfectSense]

Unmitigated disaster?
You are blaming the wrong party. When Dems took control of congress in January 2007, the unemployment rate was 4.5%. After nearly 30 months of Democrat nonsense, the unemployment rate is 9.4% and on its way to well above 10%.

Thanks Dems.

[KDog76A]

one could also mention the amount of government spending in the last 6 months versus the last 30 years and draw the opposite conclusion. If individuals spent like the government is spending, they would all be bankrupt. We borrow a dollar for every dollar generated in taxes, thats like making $50k a year but spending $100k.

democratic economic policies have failed too. Its a bipartisan effort.

[RuthlessDictator]

Obama DID say things will get worse before they get better. Pay attention!

[KDog76A]

So did Bush, years ago, but as a nation we have a short attention span, which is why good intentions turn into into big problems.

[Joan15]

SC is so red it bleeds and it is in the top 3.

Next dittohead talking point?

[ATLiberal]

SC, GA (my state), AL, MS, TN and KY are all on the "worst state" list and are red as red gets. When will people get a grip and do their own thinking? It's frighteneing to see so many people whop simply accept complete BS as fact.

Educate yourself! Don't let others with an agenda do your thinking for you! No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on.

[norkas]

Barak Obama gave the States money to spend to help their economy and if they did a poor job then do not blame the Pres it is the falut of the governors , mayors and others who had no developement programds prepared.

Did you expect Barak Obama to then tell the States how to spend the money? If stimilus was not given the unemployment would of been much worse .

Just think really what the Republicans left America with and the clean up will take some time but not as long as you may think.

Solar, electric and new hybred autos, new building materials eco friendly, and greening America is a real business that will bring forward a multi trillion business and employment on a massive scale. It has already started and will begin to continue at a faster pace. Within a year you will see new eco economy boom and the it will be shocking to most of you.

Solar panels and tec for homes is alredy being sold big time and solar companies are hiring. New tech in this area is beyond realty such as a coating applied to plastic that collects more engery then solar power and will be out within a year. Yes this is reality and you will see and be very happy at what will happen in a year and forward.

[KDog76A]

Where were you when Hurricane Katrina hit? It seems like everybofdy wanted to blame Bush for that disaster, when it was really the responsibility of the State and local governments... just saying this to show there can be a double standard.

If you spend more than an hour a day using electronic devices you're bad for the environment by the way.

[somsoc]

We need to make all of those in the House and Senate that oppose a Public Single Payer Healthcare policy for the United States to become members of the unemployed forthwith.

[hjfraser2002]

Bingo

[Areyoukiddingg]

RIGHT ON! Let 'em experience the joy of paying out to COBRA!

[claytonbell]

No kidding, wish them luck with all of their pre-existing conditions too.

[KDog76A]

interesting, I hope you are ready to pay up when you get this plan, it aint gonna be cheap.

[fairtaxnow]

A dollar in 1930 is NOW worth $0.04.
And you wonder why there is NO money.

Cost of a movie in 1930 $0.05
Cost of a movie today $6 - $10

Any questions??

Support HR 1207 and S 604 to Audit the Federal Reserve.

[hjfraser2002]

No, lets audit. I am 100% for that.

[ejhickey]

actually there is more money or currency. A lot more money. It is just worth a lot less.

[Areyoukiddingg]

We had BETTER do something; they've shelled of $9 Trillion (with a "T") so far and REFUSE to disclose whom it went to. Any guesses? Do I hear a "Bush"; maybe a "Cheney"?

[TerrapinCB]

according to BLS' CPI Inflation Calculator: http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pll)

$1.00
in 1930
has the same buying power as
$12.81
in 2009

[RTIII]

It depends ENTIRELY on what for.
.

[Badfickle]

It's called inflation. it happens to every currency on the planet. I'm all for auditing the fed but that's a bogus argument.

[hjfraser2002]

Your right, but we do need to do an audit.

[jeremyemilio]

Real Inflation (as opposed to minor fluctuations in BOTH directions) only really happens to fiat currency, actually. Currency backed by something tangeable doesn't experience inflation.

[Photofarm]

Seems like some of the worst unemployment comes from states with the strongest Democrat or progressive policies. Why do we want Obama to use the California model on the U.S.?

[srg10duke]

But South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Ohio are also on the list. I really don't think this is a partisan issue, some states have industry sectors that are being harder hit by the current recession.

[hjfraser2002]

Good point.

[hjfraser2002]

Bad lead. There is so much more that leads to poverty. Mainly 30 years of bad economic ideals.

[BillN]

I think you mean the "Schwarzenegger model", don't you? I don't think Obama's for that. In fact, I KNOW he isn't.

[Photofarm]

Obama's policies have all been proven failures in the past, so why try them now?

[Dalpine]

Our California governor blew it by being pushed to the hard left by special interests and lobbyists.

[Badfickle]

One of the biggest reasons California is so outta wack is they passed a ballot initiative that has their property tax system all screwed up. You could I suppose blame Arnold or the Democrats but the real culprits in CA is the voters.

[singermuse]

Someone here said there are plenty of jobs in California?
Yeah sure there are...
MacDonald's is hiring
Walmart is hiring
KMart, Target, 7 eleven, .....but not at LIVABLE wages!
We need to send a message to the Businesses outsourcing jobs overseas and racing us to the bottom in wages: If they want to SELL to Americans, They better HIRE Americans...and at a LIVING WAGE...
the BOYCOTT is alive and well and a great tool for real CHANGE.
Perhaps someone can put up a website of offenders so we know who those businesses are and vote with our ever diminishing pocketbooks.

[mykebee]

Nice job Hufpo...please, somehow researdh the techonlogy that enables a click of my mouse to show me a graphic I can read! I'm optically corrected to 20-20....10 years a go I wouldn't be bitchin' about his....:)

[dandypuddin]

There is a button to make it full page size.

[DFL]

Some of those northern states only have about 3 months of summer if that, they are like this country's version of siberia.

[HitMan352]

3 months of summer......geez i bet you believe you have more.......i am really jealous !

[Photofarm]

You really are a clueless person to make such a silly statement.

[MamaBird62]

Some of those southern states only have about 3 months of winter, 3 months of spring, 3 months of fall, and 3 months of ....
Oh, wait.

[captainindustry]

I think that what DFL means is that the northern states have such bitter winters that many industries come to a complete halt. Construction for one.

Also, people tend to stay home and spend less money during the winter months.

[jeremyemilio]

Sorry, but that's BS.

-Signed "A Canadian"

[thebirdstheword]

apparently you've never worked construction in a northern state. construction doesn't dry up because of the weather....construction workers just get colder.

[textynn]

How about a link to the damn map.

[hjfraser2002]

I love the "suck it up cupcake crowd here".

They are either one of three types.

1.Payed to post.
2.Bought into the talking points payed by the people with the money.
3. The people with the money.

They will not stop until we become the third world nation they say we are better off than.

We are on the road to that.

[PerfectSense]

You forgot type #4 - The posters think for themselves and the evidence is clear: Obama's economic polices are a disaster and unemployment will be higher and longer due to Obama's economic policies.

[PinkysBrain]

I'm with you there. Economics do not lie, you can't spend like a drunken sailor with out having to pay the bill.

[hjfraser2002]

What ever you want to call it. It is still based off what you use to form your opinions.

[BillN]

Only the uneducated would believe that Obama is at fault for the economic mess we're in. The unemployment rate in Michigan was already over 12% in 2007. Bush paid out the first bailout back in September, 2008 - BEFORE the election. Leaman Bros. went belly-up BEFORE the election. Gasoline was over $4.00 per gallon BEFORE the election.

How convenient that you forget the billions spent on an unjustified war in Iraq - and that the money wasn't even accounted for in the Bush budget... in fact they deliberately HID the costs of the war.

This disaster was caused by a republican administration, with the support of a republican-controlled Congress for six out of the eight years Bush was in office. They spent money like drunken sailors on no-bid contracts and buying influence from the same Iraqi terrorists that earlier had killed our troops... the so-called "Sunni Awakening" and "Surge."

You and the other misguided teabag-toting buffoons believe that if President Obama doesn't clean up YOUR mess in six months, that he should be blamed for the entire problem. How pathetic.

In the meantime, if you want to organize your tea party protests on July 4, have it at. No one will be paying any attention, and those few who do - won't really understand what the protest is about. They'll just go along with it because they can't think for themselves.. like the good little republican sheep that they are.

[Badfickle]

I think your #4 is really #2.

[rodii]

What is the evidence? Let's review it. I'm sure all those economists have overlooked key arguments, but some troll on a board knows about them. If only they would read this thread, PerfectSense could make it all clear.

[PinkysBrain]

Umm, it is paid, not payed

[hjfraser2002]

Yeah, iguess my spelling ability goes down with my pay scale.

[srg10duke]

So why not abolish all foreign aid and only take care of those in America? I think a global sense of poverty is sorely lacking in the American political conscience.

[hjfraser2002]

THe foreign aid is a drop in the bucket to the overall budget. That is until; iraqq.

[MajorKong]

How do I get in on that "Paid to post" thing?