Average weekly earnings for all employees on private sector payrolls in New York State increased 2.1 percent to $909.04 over the year ending in May 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The average work week lengthened by 0.2 hour (0.6 percent) to 34.2 hours, while average hourly earnings rose 1.5 percent to $26.58. Regional Commissioner Michael L. Dolfman pointed out that the percentage rise in New York average
weekly wages was not as large as the gain in the United States.
Other findings in today's release:
• New York’s average weekly earnings of $909.04 ranked sixth highest in the Nation.
• New York was 1 of 38 states and the District of Columbia with an over-the-year increase in average weekly earnings.
• New York was 1 of 32 states and the District of Columbia to register lengthier weeks in May 2011 compared to one year earlier.
• The information industry recorded the highest average weekly earnings for all employees ($1,380.83), followed by financial activities ($1,307.21), professional and business services ($1,226.88), and construction ($1,190.69).
• Seven of New York’s supersectors had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages.
• Eight of 12 metropolitan areas in New York registered gains in average weekly earnings, led by Ithaca, which registered a 13.5 percent increase.
• Average hours rose in 6 of the 12 areas, with Elmira recording the largest increase, up 1.5 hour. The workweek was unchanged in New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island.
• The average workweek for all private sector employees in New York was 34.2 hours; New York City posted a 34.9-hour average.
Please read the complete release in text (NYLS 7945) or in PDF.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000
Census of Population and Housing data present here ranges from our most recent census to the historical decennial census conducted throughout the decades. Some of the data were scanned as an effort to make historical census information available to the public.
Census Bureau Announces Field Management Reforms
The U.S. Census Bureau announced this week a realignment of its national field office structure and management reforms designed to keep pace with modern survey collection methods worldwide and reduce costs by an estimated $15 million to $18 million annually beginning in 2014. The reforms build on the work the Bureau’s leadership did in bringing in the 2010 Census on time and 25 percent under budget.
The changes are the first to the field office structure since 1961 and will result in the permanent closing of six of the agency’s 12 Regional Offices, affecting approximately 330 employees in a national field force of about 7,200. The six remaining Regional Offices will increase slightly in size, although a net loss of approximately 115-130 positions nationally is expected. Most staff reductions will happen through attrition, early
retirements, or transfers to vacant jobs at Census headquarters or
elsewhere across the federal government.
“Director Groves and his staff at Census are making good on the President’s charge to cut costs and change the way the government does business,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “This reorganization supports the administration’s ongoing effort to make government more efficient, effective and accountable to the American people.”
The realignment will close Regional Offices located in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City and Seattle. The remaining six Regional Offices and their new boundaries will be located in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
“As we go through this transition over the next 18 months, our Regional Office employees affected by this realignment will be our first priority,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said.
Advances in technology have allowed survey organizations to provide field interviewers with better tools and move to a leaner management structure. Increasing virtualization of supervision using more timely management information can yield both cost and quality advantages.
“Our professional field interviewers across the country are critical to helping us generate vital statistics about our economy, our communities and our households,” Groves said. “We owe it to them and the American people to constantly improve our processes and become more efficient, using taxpayer money wisely while maintaining the highest quality statistics.”
The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to finding the best possible outcome for each affected employee in a closing office and is seeking approval from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to provide these employees with transition assistance, early retirement, retirement incentives, and job opportunities.
To learn more about the Census Bureau’s new Regional Office structure, visit HERE.
The changes are the first to the field office structure since 1961 and will result in the permanent closing of six of the agency’s 12 Regional Offices, affecting approximately 330 employees in a national field force of about 7,200. The six remaining Regional Offices will increase slightly in size, although a net loss of approximately 115-130 positions nationally is expected. Most staff reductions will happen through attrition, early
retirements, or transfers to vacant jobs at Census headquarters or
elsewhere across the federal government.
“Director Groves and his staff at Census are making good on the President’s charge to cut costs and change the way the government does business,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “This reorganization supports the administration’s ongoing effort to make government more efficient, effective and accountable to the American people.”
The realignment will close Regional Offices located in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City and Seattle. The remaining six Regional Offices and their new boundaries will be located in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
“As we go through this transition over the next 18 months, our Regional Office employees affected by this realignment will be our first priority,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said.
Advances in technology have allowed survey organizations to provide field interviewers with better tools and move to a leaner management structure. Increasing virtualization of supervision using more timely management information can yield both cost and quality advantages.
“Our professional field interviewers across the country are critical to helping us generate vital statistics about our economy, our communities and our households,” Groves said. “We owe it to them and the American people to constantly improve our processes and become more efficient, using taxpayer money wisely while maintaining the highest quality statistics.”
The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to finding the best possible outcome for each affected employee in a closing office and is seeking approval from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to provide these employees with transition assistance, early retirement, retirement incentives, and job opportunities.
To learn more about the Census Bureau’s new Regional Office structure, visit HERE.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Geographical Mobility/Migration
From The American Consumers Newsletter:
The mobility rate of the nation's homeowners remained at the record low of 5.2 percent in 2009-10, unchanged from the rate of 2008-09. The Census Bureau's latest geographic mobility figures, available at this site, show a nation of movers paralyzed by the collapse of the housing market. Among renters, a much larger 29.0 percent moved in 2009-10, down slightly from the 29.6 percent who moved between 2008-09. Renter mobility has changed little over the decade--it peaked at 30.8 percent in 2001-02. During the past decade, homeowner mobility has been as high as 8.1 percent
http://www.census.gov/hhes/migration/data/cps/cps2010.html
The mobility rate of the nation's homeowners remained at the record low of 5.2 percent in 2009-10, unchanged from the rate of 2008-09. The Census Bureau's latest geographic mobility figures, available at this site, show a nation of movers paralyzed by the collapse of the housing market. Among renters, a much larger 29.0 percent moved in 2009-10, down slightly from the 29.6 percent who moved between 2008-09. Renter mobility has changed little over the decade--it peaked at 30.8 percent in 2001-02. During the past decade, homeowner mobility has been as high as 8.1 percent
http://www.census.gov/hhes/migration/data/cps/cps2010.html
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
How We Pay for Things
You have $34 in your wallet right now. That is the median amount of cash carried by the average American.
This paper presents results of the 2009 Survey of Consumer Payment Choice (SCPC), along with revised 2008 SCPC data. In 2009, the average U.S. consumer held 5.0 of the nine payment instruments available, including cash, and used 3.8 of them during a typical month. Between the 2008 and 2009 surveys, a period that includes the trough of the latest recession, consumers significantly increased their use of cash and close substitutes for cash, such as money orders and prepaid cards. At the same time, consumers reduced their use of credit cards and (to a lesser extent) debit cards, as well as payments made using a bank account number. Weaker economic conditions, new government regulations, and bank pricing of payment card services all likely contributed to the shift back toward cash. However, it is difficult to determine how much each of these factors contributed, and whether the shift is transitory or permanent, without more data and research on consumer payment choice. In 2009, one in three consumers had a prepaid card and nearly as many had a nonbank payment account online, while 3 percent made a mobile payment. By focusing on payments by consumers only, the SCPC complements the recent 2010 Federal Reserve Payment Study, which describes the entire noncash payments economy.
This paper presents results of the 2009 Survey of Consumer Payment Choice (SCPC), along with revised 2008 SCPC data. In 2009, the average U.S. consumer held 5.0 of the nine payment instruments available, including cash, and used 3.8 of them during a typical month. Between the 2008 and 2009 surveys, a period that includes the trough of the latest recession, consumers significantly increased their use of cash and close substitutes for cash, such as money orders and prepaid cards. At the same time, consumers reduced their use of credit cards and (to a lesser extent) debit cards, as well as payments made using a bank account number. Weaker economic conditions, new government regulations, and bank pricing of payment card services all likely contributed to the shift back toward cash. However, it is difficult to determine how much each of these factors contributed, and whether the shift is transitory or permanent, without more data and research on consumer payment choice. In 2009, one in three consumers had a prepaid card and nearly as many had a nonbank payment account online, while 3 percent made a mobile payment. By focusing on payments by consumers only, the SCPC complements the recent 2010 Federal Reserve Payment Study, which describes the entire noncash payments economy.
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Fortune 500
The full list starts with:
Wal-Mart Stores
Exxon Mobil
Chevron
ConocoPhillips
Fannie Mae
General Electric
Berkshire Hathaway
General Motors
Bank of America
Ford Motor
Wal-Mart Stores
Exxon Mobil
Chevron
ConocoPhillips
Fannie Mae
General Electric
Berkshire Hathaway
General Motors
Bank of America
Ford Motor
Saturday, June 25, 2011
NYS Sales Tax Guide
Here's a numerical listing by publication number of documents addressing particular topics of interest to taxpayers
From that list, A Guide to Sales Tax in New York State (PDF)
Also, sales tax for specific industries.
From that list, A Guide to Sales Tax in New York State (PDF)
Also, sales tax for specific industries.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The 10 most affordable U.S. home markets
Weak local economies take toll on home prices in these cities
Niagara Falls, N.Y. is well known for its beautiful views and its popularity among tourists. But here’s something you might not have known: It also has the most affordable housing market in the country.
Niagara Falls, N.Y. is well known for its beautiful views and its popularity among tourists. But here’s something you might not have known: It also has the most affordable housing market in the country.
Disaster Survivors Urged to Beware of Recovery Scams
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is urging disaster victims seeking federal aid to be alert to scam artists posing as federal officials and to be cautious about any solicitations for fees to perform services that are available from federal agency staff for free.
In the wake of widespread flooding, wildfires and tornados in many areas across the country over the past few months, the SBA is particularly concerned about flyers that have appeared in tornado-damaged areas asking for non-refundable fees of up to $450 to help disaster victims fill out their loan applications and as much as $1,000 to verify losses and file loan applications.
Federal agencies involved in disaster recovery will never ask for a fee or payment to file an application for financial assistance or to inspect damaged property.
“Historically, natural disasters bring out the very best in people, and there are countless stories of the selfless acts of helpful neighbors and volunteers,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
“Unfortunately, we have also seen in the past individuals who attempt to take advantage of people who need assistance. Disaster survivors should be vigilant in protecting their personal assets, particularly in the stressful environment of a disaster recovery.
“The SBA will not tolerate the defrauding of those who have already lost so much in the aftermath of these devastating disasters,” Mills said. “Those who are found taking advantage of disaster victims will be prosecuted to the fullest extent provided by law.”
If you suspect a person is posing as a local or federal agent, or encounter what you believe are fraudulent activities connected with disaster relief operations, contact your local law enforcement officials, phone the toll-free National Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or send an email to disaster@leo.gov. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To register for federal help after a disaster declaration, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (800-426-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired).
Disaster survivors may also visit one of the local recovery centers to get help with filing for assistance. To get help with the disaster loan application, contact the SBA by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for those with speech or hearing disabilities). Those affected by recent disasters may also file a loan application online by visiting SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
The SBA makes low-interest, taxpayer-backed disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes. More information about the disaster assistance program is available at www.sba.gov/disasterassistance.
In the wake of widespread flooding, wildfires and tornados in many areas across the country over the past few months, the SBA is particularly concerned about flyers that have appeared in tornado-damaged areas asking for non-refundable fees of up to $450 to help disaster victims fill out their loan applications and as much as $1,000 to verify losses and file loan applications.
Federal agencies involved in disaster recovery will never ask for a fee or payment to file an application for financial assistance or to inspect damaged property.
“Historically, natural disasters bring out the very best in people, and there are countless stories of the selfless acts of helpful neighbors and volunteers,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
“Unfortunately, we have also seen in the past individuals who attempt to take advantage of people who need assistance. Disaster survivors should be vigilant in protecting their personal assets, particularly in the stressful environment of a disaster recovery.
“The SBA will not tolerate the defrauding of those who have already lost so much in the aftermath of these devastating disasters,” Mills said. “Those who are found taking advantage of disaster victims will be prosecuted to the fullest extent provided by law.”
If you suspect a person is posing as a local or federal agent, or encounter what you believe are fraudulent activities connected with disaster relief operations, contact your local law enforcement officials, phone the toll-free National Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or send an email to disaster@leo.gov. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To register for federal help after a disaster declaration, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (800-426-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired).
Disaster survivors may also visit one of the local recovery centers to get help with filing for assistance. To get help with the disaster loan application, contact the SBA by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for those with speech or hearing disabilities). Those affected by recent disasters may also file a loan application online by visiting SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
The SBA makes low-interest, taxpayer-backed disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes. More information about the disaster assistance program is available at www.sba.gov/disasterassistance.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Census Bureau Director Groves Blogs
Census Bureau Director Robert Groves recently appeared as a guest blogger on the Department of Commerce’s website. Director Groves discusses the importance of the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee in this blog entry. He also recently discussed his personal lessons learned from the 2010 Census in his blog,located here.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
ETA Releases Internet Links for State and Local Employment Projections
The Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Workforce Investment recently released Internet Links for State and Local Employment Projections. This guide provides users with direct links to:
All published industry and occupational projections for the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
Long-term (usually 10 years) and short-term projections (usually 2 years), including the dates of the projections
Statewide and local projections, including an explanation of the type of locality
Each state's employment projections web page (if available)
A statistical table summarizing the availability of different types of projections
Each state's primary labor market information web site
The key BLS employment projections web sites
All published industry and occupational projections for the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
Long-term (usually 10 years) and short-term projections (usually 2 years), including the dates of the projections
Statewide and local projections, including an explanation of the type of locality
Each state's employment projections web page (if available)
A statistical table summarizing the availability of different types of projections
Each state's primary labor market information web site
The key BLS employment projections web sites
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Gross Domestic Product by State
Bureau of Economic Analysis: Gross Domestic Product by State, 2010 (advance estimate) and 2007-2009 (revised estimate).
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia in 2010, according to new statistics released this month by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis that breakdown GDP by state. Durable–goods manufacturing, retail trade, and finance and insurance were leading contributors to the upturn in U.S. economic growth. U.S. real GDP by state grew 2.6 percent in 2010 after declining 2.5 percent in 2009.
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia in 2010, according to new statistics released this month by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis that breakdown GDP by state. Durable–goods manufacturing, retail trade, and finance and insurance were leading contributors to the upturn in U.S. economic growth. U.S. real GDP by state grew 2.6 percent in 2010 after declining 2.5 percent in 2009.
Monday, June 20, 2011
2010 National Healthcare Quality & Disparities Reports
For the eighth year in a row, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has produced the National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR) and the National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR). These reports measure trends in effectiveness of care, patient safety, timeliness of care, patient centeredness, and efficiency of care. New this year are chapters on care coordination, health system infrastructure. The reports present, in chart form, the latest available findings on quality of and access to health care.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Entrepreneurship and the U.S. Economy
Business Employment Dynamics
Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the U.S. economy. As the primary source for information on the nation’s labor market, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects data on new businesses and job creation. The following highlights from data series produced by BLS Business Employment Dynamics (BED) program provide some insights on the contribution of new and small businesses to the number of businesses and jobs in the economy.
Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the U.S. economy. As the primary source for information on the nation’s labor market, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects data on new businesses and job creation. The following highlights from data series produced by BLS Business Employment Dynamics (BED) program provide some insights on the contribution of new and small businesses to the number of businesses and jobs in the economy.
Regional Price Parities by Expenditure Class
For 2005-2009 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis [PDF]
Saturday, June 18, 2011
National and State Foster Care Data
From the Annie E. Casey Foundation – Kids Count Data Center: National and State Foster Care Data from the Adoption and Foster Care Reporting System.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Consumer Reports re sunscreen.
As ABC News reported, most sunscreens that protect against UVB rays that prevent sunburn do little to nothing against UVA rays that could lead to skin cancer. The link provides a lists the best buys for products that protect against both types of rays.
FDIC bank failure tracking tool
One can generate a report using the FDIC's Failures and Assistance Transactions search engine, to track historic bank failures, going back to the 1930s.
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