Reaction to federal jobs report

WLUK TV

Reporter: Eric Peterson

Updated: Apr 25, 2012 9:27 PM

GREEN BAY — A discouraging federal report about jobs in Wisconsin. It specifically shows how Wisconsin stacks up to other states.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says Wisconsin lost more jobs in the past year than any other state.

The numbers show the state lost nearly 24,000 jobs between March of last year and March 2012.

No other state lost more than 3,500 jobs.

Of those lost here at home, nearly 18,000 were government jobs. 6,100 were private sector jobs.

The not-so-positive federal jobs report has Democratic recall candidates pointing the finger at Governor Scott Walker.

"There have been too many jobs lost in this state over the last year and he is the one responsible," said Democratic Candidate for governor Tom Barrett. "He is the one as a candidate, said he would create 250,000 jobs."

"I think the governor is trying to cover up the fact that he has the worst job record in the entire nation after getting everything he wanted. His way has failed the people of Wisconsin," said Scot Ross, communications director for Kathleen Falk.

"What's new? It's been going on for months, and it shows that Wisconsin is broken. The governor has made us a bad place to work," explained Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for governor, Doug La Follette.

However, the governor says other economic factors are at play.

A statement released Wednesday by his press secretary, Cullen Werwie, says: "The state has added over 15,000 private sector jobs since the start of the year."

Werwie adds, "The state's unemployment rate is down to 6.8 percent. A year ago the unemployment rate was 7.6 percent, not it's at its lowest since 2008."

But will the issue of jobs ultimately be the deciding factor in the upcoming elections?

Political experts say it's a big possibility.

"Whether or not that's going to be the single choice when it comes to making the selection between the democratic nominee and the governor, remains to be seen," explained St. Norbert College Political Science Professor Charley Jacobs.  "But certainly, it is going to have an impact on the choice. It's on people's minds and it's very worrisome for the people at large."

And we'll soon know if that's truly the case.

School officials say St. Norbert College will be conducting a statewide poll after the May primary election.

The poll will ask voters the most important issues facing Wisconsin.

Officials expect to have the results back by the end of May.

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout is also running in the Democratic primary.

FOX 11 called and emailed her campaign. So far, we have not received a response.

The primary election is May 8th.

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