Feds confirm Walker’s job-growth data 


By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s administration says the job-growth numbers he made public earlier than normal have been verified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development spokesman John Dipko told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the BLS has confirmed Wisconsin jobs grew by 23,608 in 2011.

Walker had released the preliminary job numbers two weeks ago before BLS confirmed them, a highly unusual move.

His Democratic opponent in Tuesday’s recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, accused Walker of “cooking the books” and trying to spin the numbers to his advantage.

Walker said the BLS confirmation shows that the preliminary numbers were accurate. He says Barrett owes people an apology.

Walker’s record on jobs has been a major focus of the recall campaign.