FreedomWorks economist Steve Moore on how the red and blue states are doing economically in the midst of the pandemic.
FreedomWorks economist Steve Moore reflected on the disappointing December job report and pointed to California as one of the main reasons for the loss of jobs in the country.
“What’s happening in California is now killing the American economy,” said Moore in “Mornings with Maria.” “There is no reason to shut down California’s economy.”
UNITED STATES ECONOMY CUT 140,000 JOBS IN DECEMBER, WHEN COVID SURVES PREVENTS RECOVERY
The US economy cut 140,000 jobs in December, the first drop in seven months as an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country sparked a new wave of closings, reversing the recovery in the labor market. The unemployment rate remained stable at 6.7%, the Department of Labor said in its monthly payroll report, released Friday.
“We are a nation,” said Moore. “But when you have two of the largest economies in the world – California and New York – practically closed, how are you going to achieve job growth?”
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He added that red states have lower unemployment rates than blue states.
However, Jon Hilsenrath of The Wall Street Journal, who also participated in the conversation, believes that the resurgence of coronavirus in the US is behind the contraction of the labor market in December.
“We had a chance to get this thing under control. We screwed up, ”he said. “We had a resurgent job market and it is contracting. This is another tragedy that is affecting this country. “
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Both Moore and Hilsenrath agreed that it is essential for America to keep the virus under control.
“The vaccine is the ultimate stimulus for the economy,” said Moore. “There is no doubt about it.”
Megan Henney of FOX Business contributed to this article.