MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Embattled Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has released updated employment figures that show the state actually added a small number of jobs during his first year in office.
Walker took the unusual step Wednesday of releasing fourth-quarter data due out in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' June 28 national employment report that show Wisconsin added 23,300 public- and private-sector jobs last year. Less reliable data based on monthly employment surveys suggested Wisconsin lost 33,900 jobs in 2011, which would rank worst in the nation.
Walker campaigned on a pledge to add 250,000 private-sector jobs during his first four-year term. He faces a June 5 recall election largely because of anger over his successful efforts to strip most public workers of collective bargaining rights.
Democrats argue Walker has hurt the economy.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
| Approve: | 48.5% |
| Disapprove: | 47.4% |
| Spread: | +1.1% |
| Republican: | 39.8% |
| Democrat: | 43.5% |
| Spread: | +3.7% |
| Right Direction: | 31.7% |
| Wrong Track: | 59.2% |
| Spread: | -27.5% |
| Approve: | 14.8% |
| Disapprove: | 75.2% |
| Spread: | -60.4% |
