(Arizona Gov.) Ducey ends state's monthly analysis of jobless situation

Source: Arizona Daily Star

PHOENIX — Following some less-than-spectacular jobless reports, the Ducey administration is scrapping at least temporarily — and perhaps for good — the monthly media briefings on the state’s unemployment situation.

Kevin Donnellan, director of the Department of Administration, said his agency will continue to produce and distribute monthly reports. The state gets federal funds to gather the data, which are public records.

... Donnellan not only is ending the monthly briefings. He also said Aruna Murthy, the agency’s director of economic analysis, who has conducted them for more than five years, has been fired.

... The move comes on the heels of Murthy pointing out some questions not only about the pure unemployment numbers but noting that many of the jobs actually being created in Arizona are in low-wage sectors of the economy.

Read more: http://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/ducey-ends-state-s-monthly-analysis-of-jobless-situation/article_732e1fec-2dfd-5567-8b30-b20be1fd9975.html