Tagged: unemployment

As Rhode Island tries to overcome high unemployment, some observers argue that more urgent steps are needed to spark the economy. One of the groups making that argument is a free-market think tank, the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity. The center’s CEO, Mike Stenhouse, stopped by our studio to talk about a proposal to eliminate the sales tax and other issues.

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Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than four years. The latest data from the state Labor Department indicates people may be finding work outside of the state.

Rhode Island still has the highest unemployment rate in the country, but now it shares that title with California. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Rhode Island and California tied for January unemployment with a rate of 9.8 percent.   Nevada was close with 9.7 percent.

The rates are based on telephone surveys and may not be 100 percent accurate. Unemployment statistics are frequently revised when employer-driven data is collected.

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The leadership of the state Senate Tuesday unveiled a legislative package of 25 bills meant to improve Rhode Island’s economy.