U.S. Stimulus impact uncertain

The Washington Post reports that while 2 million jobs may have been 'saved or created', the actual impact is somewhat obscured, though data-reporting methods may improve.

Tips for Job Seekers

Rick Ross (left) of Nashville Global Partners LLC (NGP), an IT staffing firm in Middle Tennessee, provides some encouraging comments for job-seekers in Tennessee. Message: Take action, network, be relisient. The Tennessean has it.

SiValley economic report

No longer immune from downturns, Silicon Valley unemployment continues near 12 percent, with prospect as uncertain as the rest of the nation's. The Mercury News reports.

Green-job earnings may disappoint

The KNS reports on efforts to retrain laid-off workers for Green jobs, dealing with hazardous waste, etc., but notes that wages are often much lower than applicants previously enjoyed.

Bredesen budget devastation

While Gov. Phil Bredesen (left) has told agencies to brace for up to 9 percent cuts in their '11 budgets, on the heels of sharp cuts in the current year, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Mike turner says the budget for 2010-11 is going to be "devastating." Among other things, the long-threatened State layoffs now seem inevitable. The AP story is in the Washington Post.

Unemployment 17%

First Tennessee Chief Economist Chris Low told a Chattanooga audience yesterday the nation's unemployment rate is more accurately pegged at about 17 percent, due to underemployment, discouraged workers, and other factors. The TFP reports.

Great Recession Notes

Well, the Fed may say it's ending, but in the past few days the Great Recession spawned a couple more factoids we'd rather not see: Job-seekers outnumber openings 6:1, the worst ratio since tracking the trend began in 2000. The NYT reports. This next one is probably for the good: Frugality may become permanent, an AP story via the CA.

SiValley jobless record

Silicon Valley joblessness has hit a record 12 percent, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Tennessee layoffs proceed apace

With another closure earlier this week, the tally has already begun to build for 2009, with nearly 18,000 workers having been affected in 2008 by closings and layoffs of varying durations. This morning's story is here. Meanwhile, statewide unemployment is hovering at about 6.8 percent, within the state's 3 million-plus workforce. Nationwide, there are about 4.5 millions folks drawing unemployment benefits, reportedly the highest level since 1982. A year ago, 2.7 million were drawing benefits. Some economists believe unemployment could approach 10 percent before 2009 ends.