The Walker administration got accused of pulling a statistical hat trick, but it now says federal officials have confirmed its much-touted job-census figure showing an increase of 23,608 jobs in Wisconsin instead of a loss of 33,900, as was previously reported.
The state Department of Workforce Development plans to post the confirmed jobs data to its website on Friday, according to the Associated Press. The agency is eager to buttress the 23,608 number, which has come under fire from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Walker’s recall opponent, and other Democrats.
“You have my personal assurance that is not a made-up number,” DWD’s executive assistant, Georgia Maxwell, told AP.
The data showing a loss of 33,900 jobs in 2011 was based on surveys of state employers. Economists have said that the census-derived numbers are generally more accurate. Walker’s performance as a job creator has emerged as an important issue in the recall.
On Wednesday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin accused the Walker administration of breaking federal law by releasing the jobs census early; it’s normally vetted and then first released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in comments to the Journal Sentinel, BLS officials have not objected to Walker breaking tradition by releasing the results ahead of schedule.
(photo by Adrian Palomo)
