Missouri's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest point in nearly four years - good news for incumbent Jay Nixon with the election three weeks away.
The state Department of Economic Development announced this morning that the rate is 6.9 percent - down three-tenths of a point from August, and nearly three points below its recession-era peak in August of 2009.
The state says companies added 2,500 jobs in September, bringing the total number of new jobs this year to 24,700.
Nixon applauded the numbers in a statement:
“With thousands of new jobs across our state, a consistently falling unemployment rate and our record-breaking exports, it’s clear that Missouri’s economy is moving forward. The jobs report issued today shows that Missouri employers have now created more than 46,000 new jobs in 2011 and 2012, while our unemployment rate is at the lowest point since December 2008. These encouraging numbers prove that balancing our budget, holding the line on taxes and investing strategically in areas like education and job-training have created a stable and positive business climate in Missouri. Together, we’ll keep Missouri moving forward.”
But the news isn't necessarily all good, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains. There are fewer people working in the state than when Gov. Nixon took office.
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