Walker Promotes Latest Unemployment Numbers

Gov. Scott Walker is promoting the latest unemployment numbers in Wisconsin, although Democrats are less enthusiastic about the state jobs picture.

The Department of Workforce Development says preliminary federal estimates show Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent in January. Walker touted the number at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Menomonee Falls.

“That’s the lowest it’s been in more than five years,” said Walker.

Later, when talking to the news media, Walker conceded there may not have been much in the way of job growth.

“We think overall, it’s pretty steady,” said Walker. “We saw growth in some factors, less in others. But it was about where it had been the previous month.”

State Democrats say the lack of growth in private-sector jobs in January shows a Wisconsin economy still reeling under Walker’s failed leadership at a time when he has proclaimed that “the economy is dramatically better.” Democrats also say with about 109,000 non-farm jobs gained since Walker took office, his promise to help create 250,000 jobs is less than halfway-met.