The state is in for a long period of sluggish growth and it will take years for employment to return to normal levels.
Woolf: Despite low jobless figure, Vermont economy is still in slow recovery mode
Tag: unemployment
Woolf: Vermont jobless rate shows steep decline, but the news is not all good
Vermont’s labor force, the sum of those working and actively looking for work, actually fell by 15,000 people and is now lower than it has been in 24 years.
Scott proposes plan to close $180 million deficit without major cuts
The governor’s budget fills a $180 million gap caused by Covid-19 by relying on a surplus in revenue the state saw at the end of July.
Margolis: Buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead
Without improvement, economic stagnation is possible but deterioration is more likely.
Woolf: While jobless rate has fallen, near-term future does not look rosy
Retail, health care and restaurants together added about 3,000 jobs in June, accounting for two-thirds of the total job growth in Vermont.
State braces for end of $600 weekly federal unemployment payments
‘There’s a lot of money sloshing around, but it’s not necessarily in the hands of the people who most need it,’ said a legislative economist.
Woolf: Getting back to normal on jobs will be slow and painful
As Gov. Phil Scott gradually allows for further reopening, we should see the number of people receiving unemployment insurance benefits fall.
Woolf: Record jobless rate led by plunge in bar, restaurant, hotel industries
Vermont’s April job decline, in percentage terms, was the highest in the nation.
Margolis: On jobless aid response, Vermont doing better than most states
But that’s little comfort to the unemployed who have gotten neither a benefit nor a response from the state Department of Labor.
Woolf: A glimmer of hope on unemployment claims
After an initial spike, the number of new claims is down for the sixth week in a row.
Woolf: While jobless claims are down, number getting checks expected to skyrocket
Because self-employed workers will finally begin receiving payments, we should see an increase in the overall number getting benefits climb from the current level of 57,000 to around 80,000.
Woolf: Layoff pace continues to ease in Vermont
Nationally, 14 states also experienced a decline. But Vermont had the biggest percentage drop of any state in the nation.
Vermonters’ struggles with unemployment system persist
Despite the addition of dozens of new call center employees, laid-off workers report continued difficulty in getting through to sort out issues barring them from receiving benefits.
Woolf: Signs point to a very slow recovery on the jobs front
Although last week’s 6,400 jobless claims were one-third below the number for the week before, it’s not likely that fewer people are applying for unemployment insurance.