Unemployment in Louisiana is returning to pre-pandemic claims but some 85,000 have not returned to the workforce. Brooke Thorington has more from the US Secretary of Labor.
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With inflation up 6.8 percent from a year ago, the biggest jump in 39 years, the finger of blame is being pointed at supply chain issues, supply-and-demand, and monetary and fiscal policy. More from Dave Brannen.
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Most recent numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission show the unemployment rate is getting closer to pre-pandemic levels. And while some say there’s still a labor shortage because the government is paying people to stay home Federal Labor Secretary Martin Walsh says enhanced benefits ended in August in Louisiana and September for most other states.
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LWC estimates about 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana for a number of reasons including concerns over their health, the health of their family, and or childcare. Walsh says retaining childcare workers was an ongoing issue before the pandemic and cost is also a factor.
Walsh believes the pandemic gave many workers time to pause and think about their profession and where and what they want their career path to be. As for vaccine mandates, Walsh says he doesn’t believe it will deter those who want to work.
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November consumer prices jumped 6.8 percent in November compared to a year earlier. That’s the highest annual inflation rate in nearly four decades. LSU economist, Dr. Loren Scott, says fixing the supply chain issues won’t likely do much to erase inflation.
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But, Scott says current Federal Reserve policy that’s pumping more money into the system, coupled with the amount of money the federal government is spending likely dashes any hope for a short-term dance with rising inflation.
Scott talks about what he says is the inflationary impact of a very accommodating monetary policy by the Federal Reserve as being a major cause for rising prices.
Scott believes inflation is also a product of supply-and-demand and discounts the possibility of collusion to boost prices and thus stir up the inflationary pot.
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He says the inflation that’s occurring can be blamed for the most part on supply chain issues and monetary and fiscal policy, something that likely won’t be corrected in the short-term, but possibly in the medium term.
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Thanksgiving weekend was among the deadliest on Louisiana roadways this year with 15 crashes responsible for now 26 fatalities. And as we approach another busy traveling period for Christmas and New Year’s DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the trend doesn’t bode well for the state.
DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says after reviewing data from law enforcement a majority of the traffic fatalities were caused by speeding, impaired, or distracted driving all of which are preventable.
Another disturbing factor in the number of fatal crashes in Louisiana Mallett says is the lack of seatbelt usage.
Both Wilson and Mallett say areas severely impacted by Hurricane Ida are also facing traffic hurdles and the closer we get to Christmas we’ll have even more drivers on the road and many from out of state that aren’t familiar with the roadways causing even more congestion.
And if you witness someone behind the wheel that could be impaired or driving aggressively Mallett says call law enforcement.
Last year crashes involving motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians killed 828 people in Louisiana. That is the highest number of deaths in a single year since 2008.
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Saturday is election day for 34 parishes, consisting of local matters, municipal runoffs, some tax proposals, and gaming for St. Tammany Parish. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he already expected voter turnout to be low due to only a few items on the ballot, but inclement weather could reduce earlier predictions.
However, in St. Tammany Parish Ardoin says early voting there was significant and he expects the largest turnout to be in the southeast parish to decide if they will allow a gaming casino in Slidell.
In addition to gaming in St. Tammany, Ardoin says there are several races to be decided in the neighboring parish of Orleans.
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Ardoin says don’t forget to bring your ID along with your umbrella. Polls open tomorrow at 7 am and close at 8 pm.