Headlines May be Rosy, Real Situation is Grim

Press Release

Brewer Fails to Bring Jobs, Business to Arizona

One Arizona newspaper today put a smiley face on one of the worst economic crises Arizona has ever faced by implying that a seasonal increase in jobs -- mostly teachers returning to work at school -- constitutes a recovery of the state's economy.

The very same story in the Arizona Republic today notes that Arizona has suffered job losses for the last 31 months, and that, at 9.7%, the state now has the highest jobless rate in the last 27 years.

Terry Goddard said, "The recession is painful, and I understand that people -- and newspaper editors -- want to put forth a glimmer of hope. But facts don't support that conclusion. The economy is flat. Arizona has a long way to go, to get to a recovery that really means something to struggling families."

Goddard added, "Arizona should be the capitol for the world's solar energy industry. It should be leading the nation in science, technology and discovery. Our tourism industry should be surviving the recession ready to bloom again, but instead it is on life support, in large part because of the Governor's habit of scaring people away from visiting Arizona by repeating baseless claims of violence and decapitations."

The key point that appears later in the article is that from August 2009 to August 2010 there has been no job growth; in fact, Arizona has lost 2000 jobs just in that time period. From Arizona's economic peak in 2007, the state has lost 335,000 jobs. The economy is stagnant, with a growth rate of 0% for the past year.

At 21%, the poverty rate in Arizona is second-worst in the nation, behind Mississippi, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"The Governor finds time to do radio interviews in Alabama, but not to work on the economic mess in Arizona. She needs to stop grandstanding, quit spinning and get to work."

"The conclusion is inescapable. Governor Brewer has not done her job," said Goddard.

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