The Economy Line: Maine Creating Jobs, Economy Growing

George W. Bush ^ | July 01, 2004

[RWR8189]

Maine Adds 2,100 Jobs in May.  "From April to May, seasonally adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose by 2,100. The largest increases came in leisure and hospitality services and construction. Government jobs declined slightly.  Over the past year, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also dropped, from 5 percent in May 2003 to 4.1 percent last month. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose by 5,200." (Business Briefcase, "Maine’s Jobless Rate Drops Slightly in May," Portland Press Herald, 6/19/04)

Central Maine Economy Growing.  "Rising numbers in retail sales point to a budding economic recovery in central Maine.  Unemployment figures are trending downward, dipping below the state average in some areas . . . The first quarter this year saw retail sales sprint 18.2 percent across the Kennebec district." (Chuin-Wei Yap, "Economy in Central Maine Showing Signs of Recovery," Kennebec Journal,  6/4/04)

Outlook Bright for Jobs in Summer.  "More than 40 percent of local businesses polled expect to hire this summer—jobs in restaurants, bakeries, dentists’ offices and on manufacturing floors.  Companies were even more optimistic about adding new employees this summer than they were last year . . . according to a new Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.  "Finally companies are doing some hiring," said Carol Albert, local Manpower spokeswoman.  "Businesses are returning to staffing levels of three or four years ago," she added.  "Improvement from the recession is here."  (Kathryn Skelton, "Outlook Bright for Jobs in Summer," Lewiston Sun Journal, 6/19/04)

U.S. June Consumer Confidence Index Hits Two-Year High.  "Confidence in the U.S. economy rose this month to the highest level in two years, spurred by job growth and a decline in gasoline prices, a private survey found. 'Some of the concerns about Iraq and terrorism have taken a back seat to the good news on the economy and employment,' said John Shin, an economist at Lehman Brothers Inc. in New York, before the report. The New York-based Conference Board's consumer confidence index increased to 101.9 this month, from a revised 93.1 in May. ... Assessments of both current and future conditions rose.  The percentage that saw jobs as hard to get declined to the lowest since September 2002."  ("U.S. June Consumer Confidence Index Rises to 2-Year High," Bloomberg, 6/29/04)

Personal Income, Wages And Salaries Rise.  "Disposable income, or the money left over after taxes, increased 0.6 percent for a second month. Wages and salaries rose 0.7 percent, the most since January, after rising 0.6 percent."  (U.S. May Personal Spending Rises 1%; Incomes Increase 0.6%, Bloomberg, 6/28/04)

[Josh in PA]

Poll from the other day had Kerry by 3 I believe.

[BenLurkin]

Reports Show Robust Expansion on Track

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040701/economy_5.html

[ChadGore]

GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICA ?

"I'm
deeply
saddened"

[Reaganwuzthebest]

The Economy Line: Maine Creating Jobs, Economy Growing

Imagine that, and they're doing it without massive illegal immigration to boot.

[republicanwizard]

We must carry Maine and New Hampshire. Good economic and jobs data assists us immeasurably.