Unusual spike in state unemployment rate last month

Minnesota 20/20, a progressive think tank, is touting an increase in Minnesota’s unemployment rate from April (4.8 percent) to May (5.4 percent) as a sign of deep trouble in the Minnesota economy.

On one hand I want to say that half a point isn’t too bad and that even 5.4 percent is on the low end of unemployment rates, historically. On the other, my experience with labor statistics tells me that we should not have that kind of spike going into summer. Usually, the bad spike happens in the winter. And I further wonder how many of those unemployed are teachers. (That’s a biased statement not based on any evidence, but I’ve got friends in the business who are having a hell of a time).