It would be nice if state agencies sought NOT to spin the official state information they report in news releases, especially agencies that have a fiduciary duty to report accurate statistics.
For example, the unemployment rate. The Governor wants you to know how low it is. But that's only part of the picture.
What the Department of Industrial Relations leaves out is where the state stands compared to the national rate. Here's their news release, which the media mostly picked up and regurgitated:
If you compare Alabama's unemployment numbers to the U.S. rate you'll see Alabama mirrors the ups and downs of the country. Ironically there is a chart on the department's own website that shows that historic trend:
State officials love to show how well Alabama is doing, when the reality is this: as goes the U.S., so goes Alabama and all of the other states!)
For example, the unemployment rate. The Governor wants you to know how low it is. But that's only part of the picture.
What the Department of Industrial Relations leaves out is where the state stands compared to the national rate. Here's their news release, which the media mostly picked up and regurgitated:
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 21, 2019
Alabama Breaks Four Employment Records in May: Record Low Unemployment Rate, Record High Job Count, Record High Employment, and Record High Labor Force
MONTGOMERY – Record numbers of people are in the labor force and working, along with a record high job count, and a record low unemployment rate, according to May 2019 economic data.
“Since day one, my Administration has sought the best ways to make our state business-friendly for small businesses and attractive to world-class industry. It is certainly paying off because in May, each of Alabama’s 67 counties saw their unemployment rates drop,” Governor Ivey said. “Alabama is breaking record after record! I am proud of the footing we are making; however, we will not tire our efforts. It remains our goal to ensure every Alabamian who wants a job can get a job.”
“What great news we have to share this month,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We’ve been consistently posting positive economic news, and this month is more of the same. More people are working, employers are hiring, and we’ve once again dropped to a record low unemployment rate. The job market is great in Alabama!”
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate is 3.7%...
[NOTE: THAT PERCENTAGE IS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 3.6%, A FACT THAT GETS LEFT OUT OF THE "NEWS" RELEASE.]
...down from April’s rate of 3.8%, and well below May 2018’s rate of 4.1%. May’s rate ties with March and February 2019’s rates for the lowest unemployment rate in Alabama history.
The number of people counted as employed in May rose to 2,150,481, another record high. The count represents a yearly increase of 40,720 people.
[NOTE: BUT WHEN THE FIGURES LOOK BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, THE P.R. MACHINE IS QUICK TO INCLUDE THEM.]
“Once again, Alabama’s job growth has surpassed the nation’s,” continued Washington. “Our economy is supporting more jobs than ever before, and Alabama’s employers are continuing to hire. It’s our hashtag, but it’s true: We Have Jobs!”
If you compare Alabama's unemployment numbers to the U.S. rate you'll see Alabama mirrors the ups and downs of the country. Ironically there is a chart on the department's own website that shows that historic trend:
State officials love to show how well Alabama is doing, when the reality is this: as goes the U.S., so goes Alabama and all of the other states!)
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