Public Sector Employment Loss Continues To Affect Recovery

Conservatives continue to scream about the growth of government. This graph tells a very different story. Public sector employment fell deeply during the recession and the duration of job loss is much greater than it has been in past recoveries from recession. The loss of public sector jobs is a drag on the economy. Unemployed workers, whether public or private, respond to the loss of wages in the same way. They consume fewer goods and services.