Two reports paint a mixed picture for California workers this labor day. A study by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education finds job growth has slowed in California. The state added about 200,000 jobs over the last year, compared to 300,000 in the year prior.
Researcher Aaron Dube says a big chunk of that is due to the housing industry slow down.
Dube : That can account for over half -- but not too much more than that -- in the decline in jobs that happened in the state overall. So it's, while clearly a pretty big player, it's not the only story.
A report by the non-partisan California Budget Project suggests housing-related job losses have yet to bottom out. Both studies also note unemployment is up in California.
On the plus side, the CBP report cites census figures showing the median household income increased in 2006. And the UC Berkeley study shows wages are up for the lowest earners in the state. They attribute that mostly to the recent minimum wage increase.
