Economists say layoffs will continue

The state’s unemployment rate held steady last month, but economists say the worst is yet to come. And the unemployment numbers released late last week don’t reflect several major lay offs in Rutland County.
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Labor Commissioner says layoffs don’t tell full story

Vermont’s commissioner of labor says layoffs in some pockets of Vermont don’t tell the whole story about the state’s economy.  Patricia Moulton Powden says layoffs like the ones this summer at IBM, or the back-to back plant closures in Brandon are serious. But they’re not as numerous as in 2001 or other recessions the state has seen.

Midday Newscast: July 2, 2008

Green Mountain Power promotes solar system usage; a contingent of Vermonters is in Quebec City to help commemorate the 400th anniversary of its founding. Vermonters can apply for emergency unemployment benefits soon; the Douglas administration says it can cut 150 government positions without harming public programs.