Slower wage gains and less nimble hiring processes create challenges for many states and municipalities trying to fill job vacancies
U.S. employers have added jobs at a historically robust pace since emerging from the pandemic recession, with a notable exception: state and local governments.
The nation lost about 22 million jobs in March and April 2020, or 14% of the total, when the Covid-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. economy. Total payrolls started growing in May of that year, and by July of this year the overall labor market had more jobs than in February 2020, according to the Labor Department.
Meanwhile, state and local public employers—such as schools, hospitals, libraries and law enforcement agencies—lost about 1.5 million jobs in March through June 2020, or about 7.4% of the total. These payrolls started rising in July that year, and by last month they had 605,000 fewer filled jobs on their payrolls, or 3% less, than in February 2020.
The Wall Street Journal
By Bryan Mena
Aug. 15, 2022