Politics on the Hudson

The state Labor Department today released February unemployment numbers that show a loss of 25,900 jobs in the month, bringing the total loss of jobs in New York to 145,800 since August.

The unemployment rate rose from 7 percent in January to 7.8 percent in February, the highest level since June 1993. It’s the largest jump in one month on record.

New York City’s rate climbed from 6.9 percent in January to 8.1 percent in February, its highest rate since October 2003 and a record jump in one month.

“New York State’s recession deepened in February 2009. In the past six months, the state has lost almost 150,000 private sector jobs, while the state’s unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in more than 15 years. Outside of New York City, the region’s unemployment rate stood at a 25-year high,” said Peter A. Neenan, director of the Labor Department’s Division of Research and Statistics.