SC

S.C. Work Force Hits New Record Low Of 57.8 Percent

RUH-ROH, “JOBS GOVERNOR …” As her campaign for a second term in office heats up, South Carolina’s “Jobs Governor” is presiding over a workforce afflicted by record “shrinkage.” South Carolina’s labor participation rate for the month of June clocked in at a seasonally adjusted 57.8 percent, according to data provided by…

RUH-ROH, “JOBS GOVERNOR …”

As her campaign for a second term in office heats up, South Carolina’s “Jobs Governor” is presiding over a workforce afflicted by record “shrinkage.”

South Carolina’s labor participation rate for the month of June clocked in at a seasonally adjusted 57.8 percent, according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  That’s a new record low – tying a revised 57.8 percent reading from May.

Only four states – Arizona (57.1 percent) Alabama (56.5 percent),  Mississippi (55.7 percent) and West Virginia (54.1 percent) – have lower rates than South Carolina.

Does that sound like a “recovery?”  Eh … no.  Which explains the Palmetto State’s surge in government dependency.

Nationally the labor participation rate has been stuck at 62.8 percent for the last three months – low levels it hasn’t seen since the late 1970s.  When Haley took office, the rate stood at 60.4 percent – but it has been falling precipitously ever since.

The governor has been busted inflating the state’s jobs numbers on several previous occasions (including HERE and HERE), but her real trick has been touting the state’s declining unemployment rate – which as we’ve pointed out repeatedly isn’t the result of an influx of new jobs (or new hiring by existing businesses), but rather the result of tens of thousands of working age South Carolinians leaving the workforce .

Still, the labor participation rate doesn’t get anywhere near as much media coverage as the unemployment rate … so most South Carolinians assume the state’s job situation is improving.

It isn’t …

As a member of the S.C. House of Representatives from 2005-11, Haley was an aggressive proponent of individual income tax relief aimed at empowering the consumer economy and generating organic job growth and capital investment.  Since becoming governor, however, she’s leaned almost exclusively on a command economic model of picking winners and losers with taxpayer dollars – a strategy that has demonstrably failed in the past.

And the present … 

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65 comments

Just another guy July 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm

To be somewhat fair, many people moving to SC are retired so that is pushing down that number some. You also need to realize that the largest generation is retiring now. With that said, the number is still too low, but it is not as horrible as you think.

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Just another guy July 23, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Also on the retiree note, South Caroline gives a lot of great treatment to seniors. The state does not tax SSI, which we all wish they did not tax any income, and the lower property tax with the homestead exemption.

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Huh? July 23, 2014 at 5:23 pm

I’m not sure that retirement age citizens are included in the labor participation calculation. If they are then the number is worthless straight out of the gate.

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Just another guy July 23, 2014 at 5:33 pm

They are. It is any individual over the age of 15 is counted in it.

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Just another guy July 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm

To be somewhat fair, many people moving to SC are retired so that is pushing down that number some. You also need to realize that the largest generation is retiring now. With that said, the number is still too low, but it is not as horrible as you think.

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Jobless in Barnwell July 23, 2014 at 4:29 pm

I just heard of a guy who got a good paying job in Georgia, working at the port. Moved his whole family across the river, got a new house and pick-up truck.

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HarrysPlace July 23, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Spot on sir…Barnwell and Bamberg are ghost town like many othet locations…

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Smirks July 23, 2014 at 8:20 pm

Sounds like a country song in the making.

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SCBlueWoman July 23, 2014 at 4:43 pm

SC Workforce hits new lows and Haley’s hips hits new highs.

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Oh MY July 23, 2014 at 6:02 pm

Yessir! No boobs, buck teeth, witches nose, super fat thighs and tremendous wide load ASS!

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Gloria July 23, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Damn. She looks like Bus Martin? No thanks.

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Scooter July 23, 2014 at 8:53 pm

Heck, if she had fat ankles and cackled would she look like Hillary?

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Sandi Morals July 24, 2014 at 8:20 am

I love her no matter how many lies she tells, or how much more repulsive she becomes.
She is my ueen and my boss!

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Deo Vindice SC July 24, 2014 at 5:36 pm

how can u get past the smell ?

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Former Truck Driver July 23, 2014 at 6:07 pm

If her ass gets any bigger SLED will have to add WIDE LOAD signs to her limo vehicles.

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 8:10 pm

more curry juice secreations, Tango loves it.

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Dakota E. July 23, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Lay off. I am one ugly bitch. So what?

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neighbor July 24, 2014 at 11:39 am

You say ugly. I say fugly.

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shifty henry July 23, 2014 at 4:55 pm

I notice that she still has that hand truck handy. It looks like the Milwaukee Steel Convertible Hand Truck at Lowes with pneumatic tires and an 800 lb. load capacity.

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Oh my July 23, 2014 at 6:04 pm

She needs that handtruck to haul that bulbous ass!
She can haul the boobs in a shot glass!

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shifty henry July 23, 2014 at 9:40 pm

‘boobs in a shot glass’ —- I’m ok with that especially if dipped in Knob Creek… personally, I get tired of playing with huge mammaries after 3-4 hours… Tomocchio can have her ‘bulbous ass’

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bamberger July 24, 2014 at 11:57 am

Don’t know what happened. She used to actually have a cute figure. Next time she should go for an empire waist. Would be more flattering for large hips.

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shifty henry July 24, 2014 at 10:18 pm

At Clemson she was sweet, adorable, fun, popular with her friends, nice personality, and had an innocence(?) about her. What the hell happened to her?

Tired and retired. July 23, 2014 at 4:57 pm

Governor appoints “business development consultant” to the Workers’ Compensation Commission? Workers’ Compensation is a specialized area of employment law in which the commissioner conducts hearings, reviews medical evidence, and determines ithe extent of injured workers’ entitlements to compensation and medical benefits. A legal background is helpful. A medical background is helpful. Real world experience with workers and their jobs is helpful. Does Mike Campbell have any background in any of these areas? Can his appointment be justified on any grounds except “pure politics”? The job is a plumb. $116,000 a year, generous per diems for out of town travel, a state car, state medical benefits, state retirement benefits. Its a better job by far than Lt. Governor.

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Mike Campbell, you are joking of course. His Dad destroyed the state. O boy, Genuine DUMB ASS PEOPLE. Burn the state to oblivion, and all that live here. MORONS !!!

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steve July 24, 2014 at 11:46 am

Is he short a chromosome like they say?

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Town Crier July 24, 2014 at 11:14 am

One of those seated commissioners used to run a grocery store, so I’ve been told.

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Adios biz July 23, 2014 at 5:13 pm

And Sealed Air Duncan just said “see ya!”. While they will leave a few laborers behind for a couple of years the word is that the Simpsonville plant will be next because they are sick of the lack of local leadership, their plant is old and they are out of expansion room. The upstate is getting clobbered.

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E. Norma Scok July 23, 2014 at 5:17 pm

Maybe housing prices will go down..I’m moving up there! Here’s to hoping for another Ohio-an to buyt my house in MT P at an inflated price!!

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GrandTango July 23, 2014 at 5:18 pm

You do know the National Workforce is at unprecedented lows, too. Has been heading that way, sice Obama got in. Yet you SWORE Obama was creating jobs, a few days before the 2012 re-election.

So STFU now. Or go look in the mirror if you want to blame someone. When we needed to know, your had your head buried up Obama’s @$$…

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Sandi Morals July 23, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Delusional and cowardly. Not all. The 4 or 5 of em that occupy this forum 24/7 posting lies , libelous allegations and anti-American comments.

I will buy lunch for any contributor at Creek Ratz in Murrels Inlet on Saturday if you show. None of you Will.

More fun to sit in mommy’s basement slandering those in your community than having actual contact with human beings.

Haley may be a flawed candidate on some issues however you people are running the same flawed campaign as Elizabeth Colbert Busch and her piece of shit campaign/communications team-they made Sanford look like a victim with the personal attacks. Even worse with Haley as you people on FITS mock her religion, race and family. Apparently Ervin and the old lady that loves to give Obama supporters money have passed the playbook of personal destruction to FITS contributors.

Carry on and pass the popcorn. Haley in a landslide.

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 7:35 pm

I just had a jump in pay to 75k in another state, thanks Nikki. With benefits to boot. thanks Nikki and Sandi !!

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 7:37 pm

Lunch is served at the Gov mansion at 12.30. Let’s reserve a table together.

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Smirks July 23, 2014 at 8:27 pm

Haley White Knight Brigade, CHAAAAAAARGE!

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GrandTango July 23, 2014 at 8:31 pm

Sandi, you are exactly right. They are FILTHY, low-lifes. They are effeminate little sissies, if you use any language deemed too harsh (usually because its true)…but they will lie, savage or invent crap about people they hate.

It’s why it’s so nice to see them lose, over and over, politically in SC. And why it is so disgusting, their dirty masters are in the White House.

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shifty henry July 23, 2014 at 9:28 pm

‘This message brought to you by Zack’

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Sandi Morals July 23, 2014 at 9:50 pm

Who is ‘Zack’ , Buz?

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shifty henry July 24, 2014 at 10:13 pm

You are late to the party — ask Nikki who Zack is. And who is Buz?

shifty henry July 24, 2014 at 10:13 pm

You are late to the party — ask Nikki who Zack is. And who is Buz?

Saluda Rapids July 23, 2014 at 9:45 pm

So mocking religion, race and family is wrong when it’s about Haley but ok when about Obama? Your selective racism is noted. That playbook of personal destruction was written here in SC, so grow the fuck up if you can’t take it. You know better than that. But you are correct, Gov. Haley returns for a second term.

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No Thanks July 24, 2014 at 8:23 am

Sandi is serving up $h1t sand(witches)! With her Witch Queen!!!

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jimlewisowb July 24, 2014 at 9:23 am

Just a tad too far away to eat lunch. For me would be an eight hour round trip.

However, if you find yourself in Columbia area on a Friday stop by BOB’s over off Highway 6 next to Publix and will treat you to all the wings you can eat and ying ling you can drink

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Sandi Morals July 25, 2014 at 9:24 am

Thank you. I will stop in.

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Bush painted a picture of you, looks like a ” traitor of the US “. A pedophile that only want’s to recruit young white boy’s with guns. Shoved up your ass !!!

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Bush painted a picture of you, looks like a ” traitor of the US “. A pedophile that only want’s to recruit young white boy’s with guns. Shoved up your ass !!!

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Saluda Rapids July 23, 2014 at 9:40 pm

Making you delusional, as you are one of FITS’ most ardent followers. Actually, you were delusional before you started posting here.

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Inciteful July 23, 2014 at 5:36 pm

SCDEW won’t even posts jobs for clients anymore. To advertise private jobs, SCDEW takes months to give an employer a # to enter the system. SC has the most employer unfriendly DEW in the country. With this agency, its much easier to get UNemployment than it is get EMployment. We’d be better off if Director Stanton were getting unemployment! But heay,,,”It’s a great day in South Carolina.”

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Paul July 23, 2014 at 7:17 pm

What would you expect from a Haley cabinet agency?

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Manray9 July 23, 2014 at 5:37 pm

Will Nikki hold a press event to announce this news?

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Poor South Carolina July 23, 2014 at 5:50 pm

75,000 illegal aliens in South Carolina. Go figure

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Poor South Carolina July 23, 2014 at 5:50 pm

75,000 illegal aliens in South Carolina. Go figure

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ww July 23, 2014 at 5:59 pm

Just like Obama! More Haley BS spin. Sounds just like her twin emperor in Washingrton.
More spin, more lies, more half truths, more exagerations, more BS!
Haley needs to go before she causes more damage to the State.
Obama’s reelection has been a total disaster! An Ohaley reelection will be no less a disaster. She must go for the good of the State!
Obama+Ohaley=Ocrap!!!!

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Greg S July 23, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Quick get Keels on the phone Nikki needs to dash out for more out of state cash…Burn the wheels off those blacked out Tahoes. ..

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Deo Vindice SC July 23, 2014 at 8:12 pm

Mike Campbell ? SC ? Burn in HELL SC.

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I feel the heat on my buns now July 24, 2014 at 8:25 am

O, if haley is reelected and with her lies and incompetent appointments, we will!

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Bible Thumper July 23, 2014 at 9:18 pm

Folks is right to a point. Most of the reduction in unemployment figures are due to a smaller workforce. The percent of adult population (not workforce) who are working has only improved from 54.0% to 54.8% since Haley took office. But the nation as a whole has only improved from 58.4% to 59.1%. So SC improved by 0.8% compared to 0.7% nationally. The real significance of these numbers is how bad the nation is doing, not Haley.

South Carolina ranks tied for 15th among the states for employment percentage improvement. 17 states actually have negative change in this statistic. An additional 21 states have had less than 1% improvement since Haley took office. Oddly North Dakota is also negative in this stat. I assume many of the drilling jobs are traditional male jobs and wives can afford to stay home. ND unemployment is only 2.6%.

I also compared Democratic governors to Republican governors.
Only NC changed parties, so I did not include it. Democratic states on average improved 0.16% while Republican states improved 0.58%. You may notice both of these figures are below the 0.7% national average. This because many of the best performers were high population states that did much better than average.

Excell is a cool program. I made these calculations using April 2014 and January 2011 BLS data.

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shifty henry July 23, 2014 at 9:29 pm

‘Excell is a cool program’ — yours doesn’t have spellcheck?

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Bible Thumper July 23, 2014 at 9:36 pm

Excel…. While I did Excel on a laptop. These comments are on an Samsung S4. I don’t have Wifi here. I am using 4G. I’m sure I have made many mistakes.

Give me a break and try making a substantive comment.

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shifty henry July 23, 2014 at 9:46 pm

You are ok and I enjoy your participation and comments. This is one my days when I go a little wild – plus I shouldn’t be drinking coffee this late in the evening (especially from some South American jazzed up coffee beans that a lady friend has imported)

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Hi, I'm Nikki July 23, 2014 at 10:23 pm

You want fries with that?

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Thomas July 24, 2014 at 11:37 am

One and done.

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mark July 24, 2014 at 11:38 am

Many people in South Carolina think that Nikki is two-faced. If she had another face, why would she use this one?

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neighbor July 24, 2014 at 11:44 am

Based on what I hearing around Charleston, French is gonna get tons of votes. Based on the upstate, Ervin will also do well. Based on Lexington, Sheheen will take do extremely well. The only thing we ask is…do not come back to Governor’s Grant.

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Zephod Beeblebrox July 24, 2014 at 1:22 pm

I no longer count as unemployed. The company I was working for closed down and I have been unable to secure paid employment. SC Unemployment stopped 2 weeks ago.

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Deo Vindice SC July 24, 2014 at 2:48 pm

one hand is 6 inches across, looks like 10 might do, is that about 4.5 feet wide ? Will I need a 2+4 ? next time ? She needs a machine gun instead of a baretta.

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