Washington Unemployment Rate Declined in July

But let's stick with the positive. The state's unemployment rate dropped from 9.2 percent to 9.1 percent last month. The Employment Security Department's press release has this from the governor.

“While today’s news is reassuring and indicates that the economy may be stabilizing, this does not mean the national recession is over,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said.

Job growth came in areas that benefit directly from public spending.

Industries with the most job growth included education and health services, with 4,400 new jobs, professional and business services, which added 2,100, and government, up 1,300.  Most of the government additions were in local education and tribal employment, while state government employment fell by about 1,300.

And, unsurprisingly...

Industries with the largest declines were in construction, which cut 3,200 jobs, financial activities, down 1,900, and manufacturing, which lost 900 jobs.

Still a lot of work to do.