Impact of Federal Shutdown on Michigan’s Employment Data Release
As the effects of the federal government shutdown ripple through various sectors, Michigan’s employment data release for September has been delayed. This monthly report, typically a crucial indicator of the state’s economic health, was not published on its scheduled date due to the ongoing federal impasse.
The September employment report, which typically includes key metrics such as unemployment rates and sector-specific job changes, is on hold. This comes in the wake of a similar delay in the national employment data release, both consequences of the federal shutdown.
Wayne Rourke, the Director of the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information, explained the situation, stating, “They did not issue a U.S. jobs report and a lot of those data and inputs that the federal government collects trickle down to the states.” Without these inputs, Michigan cannot calculate its own monthly jobs report.
Though the September data are available, they remain inaccessible to states due to the furlough of federal employees responsible for disseminating this information. Additionally, Rourke noted that the gathering of data for the October report is also stalled. “Unless we open back up very soon in the next day or week, October data will not be collected on its typical cadence,” he told Michigan Public Radio.
The long-term implications of a prolonged shutdown on future reports remain uncertain. The most recent data release in August showed a slight decrease in Michigan’s unemployment rate, attributed to a reduction in the number of job seekers.
The delayed employment data impacts not only academics and economists but also government policymakers and businesses. Many grants and government programs use state or regional employment data to determine eligibility and funding levels.
As the shutdown continues, its broader effects are becoming evident, particularly for those reliant on federal support. Rachel Richards from the Michigan League for Public Policy highlighted concerns over the availability of food assistance programs. Despite having current funds, the absence of federal funding will soon impact households that depend on these services. “So this is really going to start really impacting families’ pocketbooks in the next couple of weeks as families are unable to access assistance that helps them put groceries on the table,” she commented.
Further concerns have been raised by a Whitmer administration official regarding potential delays in state services. The official noted that the shutdown might lead to “slower responsiveness across the board given furloughs,” potentially affecting the state’s ability to deliver essential services.
—
Read More Michigan News
