Idaho reduced state jobs by 6.9 percent between June 2009 and June 2010, leading the nation in state government employment cuts, says the Rockefeller Institute of Government. Relying on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released this week, the Rockefeller Institute says 28 states cut state employment, while 18 added state jobs. Idaho was easily the biggest job trimmer, trailed by Hawaii, which cut 4.5 percent of state jobs; Connecticut and Wisconsin, down 4.2 percent; Arizona, down 3.8 percent; Vermont, down 3 percent; and California, down 2.7 percent. For the same period, Idaho local government, including public schools, added jobs, growing 2.7 percent. Private employment was down 0.8 in Idaho from June 2009 to June 2010, according to the institute/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: What do you make of the state cutting its work force by 6.9% while local governments, including schools, added jobs by 2.7%?