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Health & Fitness

Jobs: Political Spin or Positive Outlook?

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon never mentions the drop in the state's labor force when he is talking about the number of new jobs.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon continues to tour the state touting job creation, citing the latest employment data at each stop along the way.

In the first two months of this year, 24,100 new jobs were created, pushing the unemployment rate down to a 38-month-low of 7.4 percent.

After touring the BioGenerator facility in St. Louis on Wednesday, Nixon said the persistent focus on creating new jobs is now starting to pay off.

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The same employment data, however, shows a drop of 30,070 in the state's labor force in the same time period. This tidbit is never mentioned.

During a press conference, the governor said he is known for his positive outlook, adding he awakes each day thinking the glass is half full.

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After mentioning "job creation" a handful of times, Nixon said that the job numbers are an important indicator to help measure the state's economy.

Near the end of the question and answer portion of the event, I asked how he explained the difference between the 24,100 new jobs in two months and the 30,070 drop in the labor force.

Nixon, who is up for reelection this year, responded that he looks at the entire report.

"Are we to the finish line? No. This is a process," Nixon said. 

"I'm not happy when anyone is unemployed."

Why does the governor never mention the drop in the state's labor force? Are Nixon's frequent stops around the state to promote job creation political spin or part of his self-described positive outlook? 

I want to know your opinions. Please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me anytime.

By Brian R. Hookbrhook@missourijournal.com, (314) 482-7944

Hook is editor of Missouri Journal, which tracks the economy across the Show-Me State

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