Thu., June 7, 2012 1:53pm (EDT)

Government Job Loss Could Hinder Growth
By Associated Press
Updated: 12 months ago

ATLANTA  —  
he decline was offset by state universities, which added 4,200 jobs during the same time.
he decline was offset by state universities, which added 4,200 jobs during the same time.
Revenue shortfalls at the local, state and federal levels are endangering Georgia's 673,100 public sector employees and cuts to public sector jobs could reverse the trend of job growth and declining unemployment in the state.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the loss of thousands of well-paying government jobs across Georgia could have a ripple effect on local businesses like restaurant and beauty salons — not to mention county tax coffers.

Public sector employees account for 16 percent of all Georgia jobs. State and local governments have trimmed payrolls by about 8,000, or 5 percent, since the recession. The decline was offset by state universities, which added 4,200 jobs during the same time.