NWSOFA Fiscal and Economic Discussion Group Meeting

We will have our standard update of the economy, both jobs and GDP. We will also continue our discussions of the economic recovery and policy issues that affect the recovery.

Some economic highlights:

• Jobs Recovery 321,000 jobs added in November;
• 2.7 million in last 12 months September and October employment revised up by 40,000 jobs
• Unemployment rate: nationally at 5.8% in October, down 1.3% in the past year and continues to trend down from its high 11%.
• GDP growth: 3.8% Revised in the 3rd quarter and 4.6% in 2nd quarter, up from minus 2.1% in 1st quarter. It appears that the negative 1st quarter result was just an anomaly, primarily due to the harsh winter in much of the country.
• Budget Deficits – Historical and Projected

As always this is a discussion group .. bring your articles and your wits to talk about all sides of the issues.