A New State Unemployment Analysis

Over the past several years Michigan's unemployment situation has seen a slow but steady improvement. For example in January the state's jobless rate was 7.8%. We'd have to go back nearly six years to find it any lower. But even so new stats just posted find when compared to all other states Michigan still has the fifth highest rate.

It's also being reported when the economy bottomed out during the recession the state lost about 800.000 jobs. About 300,000 have returned but that still leaves about 500,000 yet to be filled.

In addition there's the on-going concern involving the long term unemployed. Those who have given up looking for work are no longer a part of the calculating process and as a result are no longer counted.