SC

SC Labor Force Hits Record Low … Again

For the second time in five months, South Carolina’s labor participation rate has hit a record low. According to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) this key economic indicator – which tracks the percentage of a state’s (or country’s) working age population that is either employed or actively…

For the second time in five months, South Carolina’s labor participation rate has hit a record low.

According to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) this key economic indicator – which tracks the percentage of a state’s (or country’s) working age population that is either employed or actively searching for a job – fell from 58.7 in June to 58.5 percent in July, the latest month for which data is available.

Labor participation in South Carolina under “Republican” Gov. Nikki Haley peaked at 60.9 percent in June 2011 but has been falling precipitously since then – hitting record lows in March and again in July.

“It’s a great day in South Carolina,” right?

Not if you’re looking for a job.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate remained stuck at 8.1 percent in July – although given the abnormally large percentage of the population that’s not classified as part of the workforce, it is likely much higher.

Nationally, the labor participation rate slipped form 63.4 to 63.2 percent last month – its lowest level since August of 1978. All told, 90.5 million Americans are now out of the workforce – the highest number on record.

Haley has boasted about her prowess on the economic development front, but the state’s shrinking workforce is yet another reminder of her failure to create jobs.

Other reminders?

One recent report ranked the Palmetto State No. 45 out of 50 in terms of the best states to “make a living.” Another recent report ranked Haley 34th out of 45 governors in terms of private sector job creation (five governors were not ranked because they entered office in 2013). Other recent reports showed the Palmetto State as having a terrible business tax climate as well as zero upward mobility for its citizens.

While Haley has given away tens of millions of dollars in largely undisclosed corporate handouts since taking office, she’s proposed precious little in the way of tax relief for the rest of us.

This website has consistently maintained that the best way to stimulate economic growth in South Carolina is cut the individual income tax – a.k.a. the tax paid by all citizens and the vast majority of businesses. Hopefully someone will roll out a proposal like that in the near future.

Clearly maintaining the status quo is a recipe for failure … 

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27 comments

scyankee September 18, 2013 at 3:43 pm

Well seems to me that I am not alone in the unemployment part of this state… Back to the search…

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Forest Dump September 18, 2013 at 4:07 pm

According to Baruch you should have stayed up north.

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johnq September 18, 2013 at 4:38 pm

No way! We need as many civilized people here as we can get. Someone smart enough to vote in their own self interest.

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Forest Dump September 18, 2013 at 5:23 pm

So the people of the South aren’t civilized?

I’m sure they are welcoming the likes of you with open arms.

You are worse then a carpetbagger, you are like a blood sucking tick living in his carpet that jumps off once it’s unfurled.

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scyankee September 19, 2013 at 4:06 pm

There are those moments Forest, when I think that, then I think about you and I say… Oh hell no this state needs some one with an education in it and break up the shared DNA.

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Forest Dump September 20, 2013 at 11:10 am

“Oh hell no this state needs some one with an education in it”

So well educated that you can’t find a job.

Go home yankee.

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Centrist View September 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm

And, SC is one of the10 Most Dangerous Places for Shark Attacks (#9)
http://animal.discovery.com/fish/dangerous-place-shark-attack.htm

Not in America, but in the whole world.

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SamAdams2010 September 19, 2013 at 10:22 am

Another top ten list where South Carolina is tops!

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Baruch September 18, 2013 at 4:01 pm

Wait. South Carolina has the least job-killing unions; so why are our job numbers so bad? I don’t understand why the liberal-taxing, union-friendly states have such better employment numbers?

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afmajret September 21, 2013 at 10:24 pm

Because the Tea Party hasn’t gutted their education systems, yet.

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The Ghost Of Lee Atwater September 18, 2013 at 4:15 pm

Yes Fits REPUBLICAN Nikki Haley!Whats with the “Republican” as if Nikki Haley isnt what she most definitely is-

A REPUBLICAN!

This weird proclivity you have for acting as if when something uncomfortable happens involving a REPUBLICAN politico,they are immediately labelled with quotation marks or other such foolishness, as if they arent t what they are is amusing.

South Carolina has a REPUBLICAN Governor who was elected after winning a REPUBLICAN primary and ,furthermore, will be re elected next year after winning a REPUBLICAN primary with votes fom REPUBLICANS.

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anon. September 18, 2013 at 4:30 pm

Let’s see, Nikki appoints a former general with a music degree and NO business experience to run SCDEW and that ends with fiscal mismanagement and massive layoffs of SCDEW staff. Then, Nikki appoints a New York labor Attorney who knows nothing about Workforce Development to run SCDEW, but who was the Council for the White House Personnel office (political payoff…) and SC Labor Force Hits Record Low … Again. I wonder why…
Nikki Haley only cares about Nikki Haley.

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Duh Duh Duh September 18, 2013 at 5:21 pm

So the SCDEW can create jobs?

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anon. September 18, 2013 at 5:57 pm

SCDEW is part of the Workforce Development system in SC. SCDEW should be working with other Workforce Development partners ( Commerce, COG and others) to train and educate workers so that they can become employable. While SCDEW can not create jobs (and it’s role isn’t to create jobs), it should be creating a workforce environment favorable to out of state/country business entities. This would make South Carolina an attractive place for businesses to relocate or expand.Companies like Boeing and BMW were lured here with tax incentives and the promise of a non union workforce. If SCDEW had leadership that was experienced with business, SC would have something to offer (a well trained, educated workforce) instead of giving “the Farm” away (Tax Incentives and non union nonsense.)

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Duh Duh Duh September 18, 2013 at 7:31 pm

“SCDEW can not create jobs”

I should be your editor.

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anon. September 18, 2013 at 8:59 pm

=)

neighbor September 19, 2013 at 3:51 pm

Yep, doubt she even gives a rat’s ass about her husband and kids. Some kinda roll model…right kids?

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IVEBEENHACKED September 18, 2013 at 6:18 pm

A friend of mine told me that there have multiple awards for employment in state government given to contractors from India to IT consultants not South Carolina companies……Hmmmmm Take a look at that Mr. Folks and see what Queen Haley has been up to.

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shifty henry September 18, 2013 at 6:54 pm

Just got off the phone with Sarah Palin. Our call went like this—–

Henry: Sarah, will you be coming to South Carolina in 2014 to pull Nikki’s ass out of the swamp again?

Sarah: Nikki — who?

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Cunning Cat September 18, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Chip Huggins is thinking…” I could have sworn that a house dropped on her during the filming”

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MashPotato September 18, 2013 at 8:06 pm

It’s a great day to be on government payroll!

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Burt September 18, 2013 at 8:26 pm

Is that Ned Beatty behind her?
I’m having flashbacks (ugly flashbacks) of deliverance!
Wonder if that guy squeals like a pig?
Haley is pathetic. He may not squeal; but, I’d be damned if he ain’t stupid, getting that close to her.
Where is Larry marchant?

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9" September 19, 2013 at 6:42 am

erotic movie.guy’s rubbin’ his wedding ring and wondering,what has he done,while she grins…

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Buggs Bunny September 19, 2013 at 7:10 am

Yes. who’s that grossly obese man? Bobby Hitt’s kin? I’d like to invite him to our Monday Night Football eat-ins.

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Dr. Phil September 19, 2013 at 12:40 pm

He’s a real porker. Wonder if he travels with NH.

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GOP Slogans September 19, 2013 at 8:08 am

Why the quotes around Republican describing the gov? She’s the ideal repub.: Sabotaging the overall economy of what’s under her/his domain in order to enrich those herself and those that have donated to her.

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Manray September 19, 2013 at 10:46 am

I say again…this doesn’t matter. She’ll be renominated and win. All the sheep say “Baaa.”

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