Continuing on the Recovery Summer and Stimulus: State by State, we head to Oklahoma.
Quick Oklahoma facts:
- In January of 2009, the unemployment rate in Oklahoma was 5.0%. As of July 31, 2010, the unemployment rate was 6.9%–a net increase of almost 2%! (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- According to Recovery.gov, Oklahoma has received 4,959 awards. This has resulted in $2,613,398,604 being spent to create/save 9,341.85* jobs (Source: Recovery.gov)
- As of July 2010, the labor force in Oklahoma has decreased by 1,645 people since January of 2009. While the labor force has decreased, the unemployment rate has increased. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- According to the Recovery Summer Map, Oklahoma boasts zero “Summer of Recovery” projects!
- The number of people employed in Oklahoma has fallen by 34,767 people since January of 2009! (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The Obama administration projected the change in jobs by December 31, 2010 to be +40,000 jobs. To date, Oklahoma has lost 23,900 jobs. (Source: Ways & Means Republicans)
The employment trend in Oklahoma has been atrocious. While the effects of the recession took a while to hit Oklahoma, since May of 2010, the trend in Oklahoma has been a steep decline. With no “Summer of Recovery” projects to boast on the “Summer of Recovery” White House map, it is no surprise that the Obama administration isn’t pointing out its utter failure in the “Sooner State.”(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Has the Recovery Act done anything for Oklahoma? No.
Has “Recovery Summer” done anything for Oklahoma? No.
Oklahoma has been utterly devastated since May of 2010. While the recession took a while to take root in the “Sooner State,” it has hit hard during the supposed “Summer of Recovery.” With over $2.5 billion in “stimulus” monies, the effect this money has had is unnoticeable. As 2010 wears on, things are continuing to get worse in Oklahoma.
Read more on Recovery Summer and the Stimulus Effects on States.
*: The number of jobs created/saved conflicts with other government sources on Recovery.gov. This number was pulled from the latest figured offered on Recovery.gov
