California
Southern California unemployment hits 5.3%, highest in 2 years
Southern California joblessness started 2024 at a two-year high.
My trusty spreadsheet, filled with state job figures, found the four-county unemployment rate was 5.3% in January compared with 4.6% in the previous month, and 4.5% a year earlier. Joblessness was last higher in January 2022 and averaged 4.7% in pre-pandemic 2015-19.
The start of the year often sees unemployment rise as holiday hires turn into New Year’s cuts. The four-county unemployment rate, for example, averaged a half-percentage-point jump in 2015-19.
In January, 482,700 Southern Californians were counted as officially out of work, up 67,300 in a month and up 81,200 in a year. The January jobless count is 14% above the 424,700 average of pre-pandemic 2015-19.
Bosses in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties had 7.91 million at work in January – down 127,200 in a month. Note that an average January had a 140,600 job decline in 2015-19.
Local employment is up 76,400 in 12 months. That equals job growth of 1%, a significant slowing vs. the previous 12 months’ 2.2% increase and an average 2.2% average hiring pace in 2015-19.
Industry swings
Note job changes in key Southern California business sectors, ranked by one-month change – large cuts in industries tied to holiday shopping and the seasonal tourism rush …
Financial: 358,900 workers – down 2,300 in a month and down 2,700 in a year.
Education/health: 1.51 million workers – down 4,000 in a month but up 91,500 in a year.
Manufacturing: 569,700 workers – down 4,200 in a month and down 6,300 in a year.
Government: 1.02 million workers – down 5,500 in a month but up 26,900 in a year.
Information: 213,900 workers – down 5,600 in a month and down 41,800 in a year.
Construction: 367,900 workers – down 9,900 in a month but up 14,000 in a year.
Professional-business services: 1.12 million workers – down 20,600 in a month and down 19,600 in a year.
Transport-Warehouse-Utility: 688,500 workers – down 21,600 in a month and down 8,000 in a year.
Leisure/hospitality: 929,400 workers – down 26,500 in a month but up 12,200 in a year.
Retailing: 737,300 workers – down 28,500 in a month but up 1,200 in a year.
Regional differences
Here’s how the job market performed in the region’s key metropolitan areas …
Los Angeles County: 4.54 million workers, after dropping 70,200 in a month and declining by 24,100 in a year. Cuts averaged 87,800 for January in 2015-19. Unemployment? 5.9% vs. 5% a month earlier; 5.1% a year ago; and 5.2% average in 2015-19.
Orange County: 1.68 million workers, after dropping 24,700 in a month and growing by 28,600 in a year. Cuts averaged 28,280 for January in 2015-19. Unemployment? 4.2% vs. 3.8% a month earlier; 3.4% a year ago; and 3.6% average in 2015-19.
Inland Empire: 1.69 million workers, after dropping 32,300 in a month and growing by 23,700 in a year. Cuts averaged 24,540 for the month in 2015-19. Unemployment? 5.5% vs. 5% a month earlier; 4.4% a year ago; and 5.2% average in 2015-19.
Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com
California
A Rabbi's Prayer Poem for California – San Diego Jewish World
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a prayer I wrote for National Prayer Day that I delivered Thursday morning, May 2.
Hear the call, California, let’s rise and unite,
In our land of splendor, from plight to light.
From redwood shadows to shimmering shore,
Let’s build a future worth striving for.
“Listen,” resounds from valley to peak,
Affordable homes for all who seek.
In cities bustling and towns serene,
Let fairness dwell, let grace be seen.
Against the shadows of bigotry and hate,
Stand strong for love, let it resonate.
From San Diego’s warmth to the Bay’s cool mist,
Inclusion and safety top our list.
Housing that’s affordable, a roof for each head,
In neighborhoods where no one fears to tread.
From LA’s sprawl to Sacramento’s streets,
Let’s secure a haven where hope meets.
In tech’s grand hub, let innovation lead,
To solutions where compassion’s creed.
May Silicon Valley’s minds conceive,
New ways for the Golden State to achieve.
Let California’s dream be vast and bold,
A tale of kindness and courage told.
With every “shema,” let’s understand,
A call to act, for the future we planned.
Hear the call of the surf, the whispering pines,
For a state where every star aligns.
A haven of peace, where all are free,
California, let this our legacy be.
*
Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com
California
Despite strides, California Latinas face persistent economic disparity, study finds
Despite strides, economic disparities persist among Latinas statewide, according to a new report issued Thursday that found Hispanic women earn only 42 cents for every dollar paid to white men compared to 71 cents for white women.
The report by Los Angeles-based Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) illustrates Latina progress and underscores the barriers hindering their path to a better quality of life and financial security. By examining national, state, and regional indicators, HOPE’s survey aims to offer insights into the economic, leadership, health, and educational landscape of Latinas in California, juxtaposed against their white counterparts.
California has the largest Latino population in the nation, with Latinas comprising 20% of the state’s total population and 40% of all women, according to the fourth installment of HOPE’s Economic Status of Latinas in California report.
While the Latino homeownership rate statewide increased by 3 percentage points between 2021 and 2022, only 41% of such households have retirement accounts compared to 68% of white households. But the report found education rates were on an upswing. In 2022, over 18% of Latinas aged 25 and older throughout the state had obtained at least a bachelor’s degree, a significant increase from 14.9% in 2018.
In terms of business and financial literacy, the report determined that entrepreneurial spirit thrives among Latinas, with a 23% increase in Latina-owned employer businesses between 2018 and 2021, generating nearly 147,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $5.92 billion. However, interviews suggest a crucial need for improved financial literacy to navigate the state’s high cost of living and ensure sustainable growth.
While education rates among Latinas are rising, challenges remain. Graduation rates and access to advanced placement courses still trail behind those of white students. In 2022, over 18% of Latinas aged 25 and older statewide had obtained at least a bachelor’s degree, showing a positive trend compared to 2018, but significantly lower than the nearly 48% rate for white women.
Health disparities were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to HOPE. Life expectancy at birth declined by 4.1 years for Latinas and 3.1 years for Black women between 2019 and 2021, compared to 1.8 years for white, non-Hispanic women. Latinas and Black women faced disproportionate impacts, with higher mortality rates and disparities in maternal care.
The report also found that the uninsured rate for Latinas in California was at a historic low of 8.8% in 2022, compared to the total rate of 6.5%, but both are expected to rise as pandemic-era policies expire.
Despite a doubling in Latina representation on California corporate boards between 2020 and 2021, Latinas held only 3.3% of board seats last year, HOPE said. In government board and commission appointments made by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Latinas made up 9% of all appointments in 2023.
Although there’s been a significant increase in Latina representation in statewide office since 2015, with Latinas representing 25% of the state legislature, the presence of Latinas in national office remains low, with only four Latina congressional members out of 52 U.S. House of Representatives seats filled by Californians.
“This report underscores the urgency of addressing the persistent economic disparities faced by Latinas in California,” HOPE CEO Helen Torres said. “By acknowledging these challenges and working together to implement equitable solutions, we can create a more inclusive society where every Latina has the opportunity to thrive.”
The report will be the central topic of discussion at an informational hearing for the State Assembly’s Select Committee on Latina Inequities, chaired by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, at the State Capitol on May 8.
“I am deeply grateful to HOPE for its tireless dedication to shining light on the challenges that Latinas face in California,” Carrillo said in a statement. “Latinas are the economic engine of our state and the largest majority, yet we face some of the deepest inequities when it comes to economic, educational and health outcomes and we are severely underrepresented in various sectors from c-suite (senior executives), public office, and executive leadership roles.”
To prepare the report, HOPE analyzed data from various government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, to compare demographic and economic metrics of Latinas with other groups nationally, statewide, and regionally. Additional data from reports and interviews with Latina women from diverse regions, work sectors, and age groups were conducted to contextualize the data and gain insights into supporting their economic advancement and career trajectories, according to the Latina advocacy organization.
California
California police move in to dismantle pro-Palestinian protest camp at UCLA
-
News1 week ago
Larry Webb’s deathbed confession solves 2000 cold case murder of Susan and Natasha Carter, 10, whose remains were found hours after he died
-
World1 week ago
Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns, transitional council takes power
-
News1 week ago
First cargo ship passes through new channel since Baltimore bridge collapse
-
World1 week ago
US secretly sent long-range ATACMS weapons to Ukraine
-
World1 week ago
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez suspends public duties to 'reflect'
-
News1 week ago
American Airlines passenger alleges discrimination over use of first-class restroom
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Humane (2024) – Movie Review
-
Education1 week ago
Video: Johnson Condemns Pro-Palestinian Protests at Columbia University