New Jersey’s Unemployment Rate Ticks up Again

New Jersey's jobless rate hit 9.9 percent in August, according to state labor officials. Meanwhile, the state added 5,300 jobs.

August becomes the 39th month in a row that New Jersey recorded an unemployment rate at or above nine percent. In July, the rate hit a 35-year high, but new estimates show July's 9.8 figure could still be revised down.

In a statement today, Governor Chris Christie said the new employment report is inexplicable.

"Despite the fact this report puts New Jersey payrolls at 10,000 jobs higher, between the July revision and jobs added last month, the unemployment rate inexplicably ticked up," the statement said.

August had the tenth monthly jobs gain in the past year. Gains were registered in both the private (1,800) and public (3,500) sectors.

Nationally, the unemployment rate in August dipped to 8.3 percent, but that reflected a drop in the number of people actively looking for work.

Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney said the latest report feels like Groundhog Day.

"Every month we have to hear the same bad news, followed by the same inevitable spin from this administration trying to hide why it is so completely inept at getting people back to work," Sweeney said.