The proportion of state and local government jobs hit a historic high in the recession and has been coming down slightly since.
In the late 90s, state and local government jobs in Michigan stayed a pretty constant 13.3 percent. It began growing in 2000 to 14.2 percent from 2002 to 2008. The 2008 recession spiked the figures to a series-high of 15.5 percent in July and August of 2009.
Since then, the number of government jobs have been decreasing slightly while private-sector jobs have increased, lowering the proportion to 14.4 percent.
But there are complicating factors when using this as a measure of the total government labor force. Privatization of substitute teaching, for example, shifted some of the government labor force from public-sector to private-sector. This was prevalent enough that government statisticians had to rework the seasonal adjustments for the “professional and business services” sector. These are still jobs at government facilities paid for through the tax system, but since a private-sector signs the paychecks, they are considered private-sector jobs.
It’s unknown whether the recent downward trend will continue. Even with the steady trend toward service privatization in Michigan’s state and local governments and the gradual recovery of the state’s private-sector, the percentage of the labor force remains at high-levels.
~~~~~
See also:
Helpful Facts About Michigan's Public Sector
Analysis: The Obvious Need for Government Employment Benefit Reform
Bringing Local Government Benefits in Balance
Benefits in Balance: How to Save Michigan $5.7 Billion
Saving $5.7 in Public Employee Benefit Savings - Is it Real?
Michigan Public Employee Pay and Benefits Growing
Tight security locked out dozens of anti-right-to-work protesters from the State Capitol as Governor Snyder was delivering his "State of the State" address. Protesters tried to disrupt the speech by banging and chanting outside the building.
Most Popular
FROM MICHIGAN HOME HELP PROGRAM PROVIDERS — OFTEN FAMILY MEMBERS
ATTORNEY GENERAL ORDERED THE STATE TO STOP TAKING MONEY ON MAY 25, 2012
opinion May 25, 2012
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) "organized” Michigan's self-employed Home Help Program providers for the purpose of skimming dues from their ailing and disabled clients' Medicaid subsidy checks. The majority of these providers are relatives or friends taking care of loved ones. It’s been estimated that less than 25 percent of the providers are hired in an employment setting.
The first counter tallies SEIU dues skimmed since the union and state officials first launched this scheme in late 2006. The second shows the amount skimmed since June 9, 2011, when the Michigan House passed and sent to the Senate a bill to ban this and all similar “stealth unionization” efforts. The third counter shows the dues skimmed since the Governor signed the bill into law on April 10, 2012. The fourth counter shows the amount skimmed since May 25, 2012, when the Attorney General opinion was announced.
For more information, visit:
Comments