Hope peeks through gloomy news on jobs

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer Updated 12:48 AM Monday, November 30, 2009

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s jobless rate may be 10.5 percent but for the first time in a decade there’s a glimmer of hope in the state’s unemployment news, research analyst George Zeller reported on Friday, Nov. 27.

During the most recent four-week period, the average number of unemployment claims statewide has declined compared to the same period a year ago, the first time that’s happened in 10 years, Zeller found. Dayton-area counties mostly followed the trend.

“The end of soaring rates of increase in Ohio new unemployment claims is a very welcome positive development, despite the fact that new unemployment claims still remain at a level that is too high to indicate job growth in Ohio,” Zeller said in his report.

Statewide, the number of claims compared to 2008 dropped by 21.4 percent. In Montgomery County, the decline was 27.2 percent and in Clark County it was even higher, 34.8 percent.

The declines in other counties included: Miami, 16.9 percent; Darke, 35.9 percent; Preble, 32.8 percent; Greene, 6.3 percent and Warren 1.2 percent. In Butler County, unemployment claims climbed by .1 percent.

“We’re still losing jobs. The layoffs are too high. They are lower than last year. That’s good, but last year they were atrocious,” Zeller, based in Cleveland, said in a follow up interview.

The new data doesn’t mean the state is gaining more jobs than it is losing, said Zeller.

The state still is experiencing more that double the number of unemployment claims that it does when Ohio is experiencing job growth, said Zeller.

“We’re still not out of the woods,” Zeller said.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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How's that hOpe and change workin' out, you morons that bought into the the lies of obama should be the only ones to suffer, but alas we are all suffering for your stupidity.

Dr Who
5:00 PM, 11/30/2009

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You Americans are pathetic whiners...all of you. We will eat you alive.

mohammid
2:14 PM, 11/30/2009

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Gracie,you need to be knocked down a notch or two.What arrogance!I have always worked for 20 years at times 2 jobs. im on unemployment for the first time in my life since March.I have applied for well over 100 jobs.Not only for office jobs i'm well qualified for but fast food jobs too. they're not calling either.As a single mom im terrified. btw-have not applied for food stamps or free school lunches though i could.not all of us are leeches.our pride is hurt enough-people like you arent helping.

need a job
10:06 AM, 11/30/2009

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My unemployment benefits ran out at the end of October, but then Congress passed & the President signed a federal extension. However, the state of Ohio has not paid anyone in my similar situation a dime of the federal money as of today. Is that why the unemployment rate in Ohio has dropped the last 4 weeks. Think about it.

Mike
9:21 AM, 11/30/2009

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How can you think you know whats its like to be unemployed in this current economy? If it doesn't effect you it means nothing to you. Why would some one tell others they are lazy and living off the government by getting unemployment. After all they had to work to qualify. This is our problem people. There will be 7,000 people a day losing their benefits in Jan. 3 million people without benefits by March 2010. This should concern everyone! Oh but why does that concern you? Your not one of them!

Hunter25
8:58 AM, 11/30/2009

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