American Unemployment Increases in 28 States in June

The unemployment rate increased in 28 states in June, reflecting the nationwide increase to 9.2% from 9.1% over the month, the Labor Department said. Some 14 states saw their unemployment rate hold steady while eight logged decreases.

The U.S. economy added a paltry 18,000 jobs in June, as measured by a separate national survey, and an average of just 21,500 over the past two months – a disappointing result that has raised big questions about the sustainability of the nation’s economic recovery. The regional unemployment data show that the states that were hardest hit by the recession continue to have the toughest road in recovery.

For instance, California, Florida and Nevada — all three of which were hit hard by the housing bust — all had unemployment rates well over 10%. Nevada, at 12.4%, continues to have the nation’s highest unemployment rate, as the near-halt in homebuilding activity and steep drop in construction jobs continues to weigh heavily on the state’s economy.

Meantime, states that are rich in natural resources continue to outperform the nation. The lowest unemployment rate, 3.2%, was in oil-rich North Dakota, followed by Nebraska (4.1%) and South Dakota (4.8%) – both big farming states.

The Obama Administration must be extremely worried with these results.

Hope is not on the way and President Obama’s re-election prospects will dim, should unemployment NOT dramatically improve.