Wisconsin's Long-Term Unemployment In Record Territory

Prior to the Great Recession, the percentage of long-term unemployed persons (defined as out-of-work 27 weeks) among the nation's jobless had not been higher than 26%.

The figure went back to 1983, following a long recession.

That long-term rate of 26% is currently exceeded in 41 states, including Wisconsin, where the long-term unemployed make up 34.1% of our state's jobless.

One in three.

And Congress will not renew unemployment benefit payments to this group.