The Midwest economy has often been among the nation's last region to feel the impact of an overall slowdown. It's also one of the last to show signs of recovery. So the signal sent out by the Creighton Economic Forecasting Group, overseen by an economics professor, is a mixed one.
The survey, formerly known as the Purchasing Management Association, says Oklahoma's index improved significantly between May and June. The index ranges from 0 to 100 and a number more than 50 indicates conditions are good for an expanding economy over the next three to six months.
Oklahoma scored a regional high of 53.6, up from May's 47.3. It's the first time since last December that the state's index expanded above growth neutral. That should be reason to celebrate but job losses persist.
The region's overall score was 49.3, up from 46.6 in May of this year. Nearby states showed lower numbers. Arkansas had a 41, Kansas 29.7, Nebraska 45.7.
The Creighton University professor who oversees the study said readings over the past several months indicate that the regional economy has bottomed out. An annualized job loss of four percent keeps the enthusiasm down.
"The region is now matching the nation in the pace of job losses," said Creighton University professor Ernie Goss. "The nine-state region is losing jobs at an annualized rate of roughly 4 percent. Even as regional economic activity picks up in the second half of 2009, the rate of job losses will continue with rising unemployment rates for most states in the region."
Opinion
Recovery signals mixed as job losses persist
- Opinion
-
-
Gov. Fallin’s tax plan is one big mistake
Editor, The Transcript: Well, it’s official now. In her State of the State message, Gov. Fallin confirmed that she hopes to reduce the state income tax now and totally eliminate it later. Big mistake, for two compelling reasons....
-
Another Library Vote? Good grief!
Editor, The Transcript A new library on the west side? With hardly any books? With a dumb name above the entry as shown in your rendering? Infoplace? The library bureaucracy must think Norman voters just fell off the turnip truck....
-
Show them some love
Oklahoma joins bus drivers and riders throughout the nation in the “Love the Bus” campaign to raise awareness and appreciation for the thousands of school bus drivers and aides who safely transport children to and from school each day....
-
Eliminating state taxes places burden on poor
Editor, The Transcript: Your editorial on Feb. 8th that expressed your pleasure that the bill by Jim Wilson that would have removed the sales tax exemptions from newspapers was killed in committee was disconcerting. I can agree that the ...
-
Not time to experiment with state taxes
Editor, The Transcript Governor Fallin proposed more cuts to the state income tax in her State of the State speech Feb. 6. This comes on the heels of a House Tax Reform Task Force that also proposed phasing out the state income tax over a ...
-
Cuts in mental health short-sighted at best
When state budgets tightened up three legislative sessions ago, mental health and substance abuse treatment appropriations amounted to low-hanging fruit. It was easy for lawmakers to reduce treatment for mental health consumers and ...
-
Local investment is better for Norman
Editor, The Transcript Americans from all walks of life and political ideologies are asserting their voice to tell Wall Street “Enough is enough!” Occupy Norman members spoke at the Dec. 13 Norman City Council meeting, urging the city to ...
-
Decline in unions harmful to economy
Editor, The Transcript Remember sometimes you get what your ask for? Let’s see, what could that be? I know, destroy those evil unions which are compromised of the middle class....
-
Tobacco ban comes as shock
Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State contained few surprises. The tobacco ban, however, came as a total shock to many legislators and state agency heads. “It was a surprise,” the governor told state press association members this week at ...
-
‘Flavor of the month’
State Republicans have invited all of the GOP presidential candidates to Oklahoma. Former candidate Herman Cain came to Oklahoma City in early December, just days after he suspended his campaign. Rick Santorum brought his charged-up ...
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Gov. Fallin’s tax plan is one big mistake
