On the heels of a more favorable jobs report for 2011, preliminary data for April show that Wisconsin lost 6,200 private-sector jobs while the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.7%.
The report, which is subject to revision in future months, was released Thursday by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. In addition to providing jobs figures for April, the report indicated the state gained 2,800 jobs in March after preliminary data had the state losing 4,500 jobs.
The data are collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and released by the state Department of Workforce Development.
In recent days, employment numbers have been a source of controversy in the gubernatorial recall election, as Gov. Scott Walker has been touting revised numbers showing the state gained more than 23,000 jobs in 2011, whereas previous reports indicated it had lost more than 30,000 jobs.
The Walker campaign noted the revised and more positive numbers are based on a much larger sample of companies, whereas the preliminary data contain numbers from a much more limited sample of employers. The campaign said previous reports of job losses contradicted increases in tax collections and declines in initial unemployment claims.
Still, the fact that a preliminary report says the state lost private-sector jobs in April could revive the debate over whether Walker’s budget reforms are promoting job creation and economic growth.
DWD Secretary Reggie Newson said the state had more people employed and fewer people unemployed than in April of 2011. According to preliminary numbers, total employment stood at 2,863,600, a gain of 6,800 over March of 2012 and a gain of 27,400 over April of 2011.
Meanwhile, the preliminary data show that 205,300 Wisconsinites are unemployed, down 2,300 from March of 2012 and down 26,200 from April of 2011.
In terms of industry sectors, the preliminary report indicates that compared to the previous month, losses were reported in leisure and hospitality (-5,000), construction (-1,700), manufacturing (-1,300), transportation, warehousing and utilities (-600), information (-200), education and health services (-200).
Monthly gains were reported in professional and business services (+600) and financial activities (+100).
Also in April, government gained 300 jobs overall, including 500 in state government and 100 in the federal government. Local government employment decreased by 300.
