The Department of Workforce Development reports that Wisconsin is in the top ten for monthly job growth. In July, our state added 8,200 private sector jobs. Fueled by new manufacturing jobs, the state is ranked 2nd highest in the Midwest. Our state unemployment rate of 4.6 percent last month continues to be below the national rate of 5.3 percent.
Department of Workforce Development officials say rates also decreased in 11 out of the 12 metro areas and all counties saw a decline in unemployment compared to last year at this time.
The new revenue numbers for the state have been released. General revenue tax collections are up $71 million, which is 4.3 percent increase in fiscal year 2015. Higher than expected corporate revenues contributed to the increase and that’s with the more than $4 billion in tax cuts that we’ve made over the last four years.
Also a positive education report out. Wisconsin has the second highest ACT test scores in the nation. When comparing states that take the ACT, our state tied for second with Iowa with an average composite score of 22.2. Minnesota took the top spot with a 22.7 score.
