Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington State’s unemployment rate has jumped again.  The 8.4 percent jobless rate for February is more than half a point higher than January. 

A year ago, just 4.7 percent of the workforce was looking for work.  Governor Gregoire calls today’s numbers “a tragedy for Washington families.”  The last time the unemployment rate was this high in the Evergreen State was in 1985.

The state’s chief labor economist Mary Ayala says she has not seen any signs of bottoming out.

Mary Ayala: “The recession effects are now reflected throughout the entire economy without one area bolstering the rest.”

Monday, Oregon reported its unemployment rate soared into double-digits in February, to 10.8 percent.  Idaho is now the only Northwest state where the jobless rate is below the national average.

National average is 8.1 and Idaho jobless rate stands at 6.8 percent.

Online:

Washington State Employment Situation Report for February 2009