Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 2:11 p.m.
Shelley Berkley
Sun Coverage
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said the jobless rate in Southern Nevada is 14.4 percent during a press conference addressing green job grants to the state.
The state isn't expected to release its numbers until Friday, but if Berkley is correct, that would be another increase for Las Vegas.
September's jobless rate was 13.9 percent in Las Vegas.
When asked if the 14.4 percent figure was for the month of October, Berkley said it's an unofficial number and she has no official knowledge of the jobless rate to be released Friday.
A spokeswoman for the state's Employment Department said the 14.4 percent figure is incorrect. The state will release its numbers Friday, she said.
Berkley said she came to the conclusion based on the ongoing deterioration in the economy, including additional layoffs since the last jobless figures were released.
She also said her common sense told her that the state lags behind national numbers, which also increased. The national jobless rate is 10.2 percent.
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