Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment has risen again - this time to 12.2 percent.  Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The August rate jumped 0.4  percent from the month before. Jobs were lost in the leisure and hospitality sector; government; professional and business services; and education and health services.

But state economist, Art Ayre, downplayed concerns.

Art Ayre: “If the 0.4 percent increase had been part of a series of increases or similar or larger magnitude, then I would say yes, this is something to be concerned about. But the unemployment rate recently has bounced around 12 percent.”

Oregon’s governor said the numbers show that early signs of economic recovery will be accompanied by “employment rate instability.” 

Thousands of Oregonians face tough financial times this month as they reach the end of their 79 weeks of unemployment benefits.

A law designed to give them another 13 weeks, doesn’t kick in until October.