Statewide news

More Oregonians seek assistance as recession continues

One in six Oregonians is now on food stamps, according to a report released in early December. That figure, 650,000 residents statewide, represents an increase of 36 percent over one year ago.

Topping the list of hard-hit counties is Washington County, which had the highest increase in food stamp recipients, 50 percent more than July 2008. Washington County represents a different trend with this recession. Typically, rural areas are hardest hit when the economy fares poorly. This time, all areas have been affected by the high rate of joblessness.

The Register-Guard reports more on this story.

A detailed breakdown of the state’s food stamp usage is available from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Oregon's boost of childhood Medicaid enrollment earns federal bonus

Oregon joins eight other states as recipients of bonuses this fall for enrolling more low-income children in Medicaid. The state received a $1.6 million federal performance bonus. A total of $72 million was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

States were eligible for the bonus if they implemented at least five of eight program features to promote enrollment and retention in the children's health insurance program.

The highest bonus was $39.1 million awarded to Alabama.

This story was reported in The Statesman Journal..

Oregon rate of unemployment declines

In November, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 11.1 percent, slightly lower than October’s 11.2 percent. One year ago, Oregon’s unemployment stood at 7.8 percent.

The trend is the same nationally. November’s unemployment was 10 percent, a slight decrease from October’s 10.2 percent, but still significantly higher than the 6.7 percent of November 2008.

Over the last year, every economic sector, save one, has experienced employment loss. Manufacturing has suffered the greatest number of jobs lost, at 26,500. Only the health care and educational services sector has seen employment increase since November 2008, with 2,500 new jobs reported.

A breakdown of Oregon job growth/loss is available at qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OlmisZine.