State Unemployment Rate Falls Slightly in June to 12.3%

California’s unemployment rate fell slightly in June from 12.4 percent to 12.3 percent, the state’s Employment Development Department reported July 16.

Statistics compiled by the state show the number of persons in non-farm jobs decreased by 27,600.

The national unemployment rate fell from 9.7 percent in May to 9.5 percent. In June 2009, California’s unemployment rate was 11.6 percent.

A federal survey, however, shows an 8,000 person increase in employment for June. The survey estimates just over 16 million Californians held jobs during the month — down 100,000 from the number of Californians working in June 2009.

The number of unemployed Californians fell 31,000 from may to 2.2 million, 132,000 more than in June of last year.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this about the jobless rate:

““The road to economic recovery is long and difficult, and that’s why it is so important that the state not hinder progress. This means passing a budget as quickly as possible and making sure that budget does not raise taxes and costs on the employers who will get our economy back on track.”

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