Wisconsin unemployment hits record low of 2.8%
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin’s unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.8% in December, after tying the previous low of 3% in November, the state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday.
The state rate is below the national unemployment rate of 3.9% for December. Wisconsin gained 5,300 private sector jobs in December. The number of people counted as unemployed in Wisconsin, 86,200, also hit a record low, the department reported.
Hitting a new unemployment rate low comes amid a worker shortage both in the state and nationwide. Republicans who control the state Legislature this week unveiled a package of bills that would cut unemployment and other benefits as part of a strategy to get more people into the workforce.
Gov. Tony Evers has also devoted federal pandemic relief money toward the worker shortage problem, including $130 million for job training programs and local efforts to develop long-term solutions to the labor shortage and $60 million for workforce development grants.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Featured
Milwaukee indoor mask mandate; acting Mayor Johnson signs ordinance
Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Thursday, Jan. 20 signed the citywide indoor mask mandate.