I must say 'hogwash' to this article. Companies were actually laying off talented workers. I'm an accountant with a B.S. and over 6 years of experience, spent over 6 months interviewing in MN, and still no dice. I'm glad to have left that cold state and cold people. The data in this article is mere puffery and is NOT substantiated in any way, shape or form. Companies were actually offering LESS money (equivalent to someone just getting out of school). What Kool Aid are you drinking? Whatever it is, I sure would like some!

Paychecks from good-paying jobs ripple through the economy and create jobs. If the minimum wage were raised, there'd be more rippling.

More bad news for repubs...it just keeps coming.

What is the message? Stay in school kids and get as much education or training as you can afford otherwise you'll be fighting for those poverty wage jobs.

So what's Wisconsin's problem? Too many radical right wing Republicans giving too much money to too few rich?

Good news! I suspect that there will be a reshuffling of qualified employees as they seek new higher paying positions. That should open up some opportunity for others.

"I'm an accountant with a B.S. and over 6 years of experience, spent over 6 months interviewing in MN, and still no dice. I'm glad to have left that cold state and cold people."

Really....you are mad because your an accountant who cant find a job. Well knock me over with a feather. You do realize there are THOUSANDS of accountants like you out there. Its not that there aren't high paying jobs. Its that there are too many people like yourself with a degree that everyone else has and its only going to get worse. This younger generation that is coming up now, all they want is the cushy desk job that goes from 9-5 M-F. They go to a four year college and waste TONS of money for what? The same degree that everyone else has. How crazy is that?

The real money will be in the trades. Plumbers, HVAC, and Electrical. However, many people see them as menial labor jobs that they are too good for. I spent just over $12,000 on my education at a two year Tech School. Three years later, I make just under $25.00 an hour...and that doesn't include my benefits I also have. In two years when I become a Journeyman, I will be just under $36.00 a hour. My two year $12,000 investment turned into a job that will eventually pay $75,000 a year. Sounds better than paying $80,000 over four years only to compete with countless others who did the same thing.

Eh...but what do I know...I'm just a lowly Electrician.

Just one more--the economies in 9 states without income taxes grew 37% slower than those with income taxes between the years 2002 and 2011. Darn those facts!!!

Oh...and there are openings in those fields I mentioned as well. Right now the hall is plucking people off the streets with no education whatsoever. The current supply of Electricians isn't enough to keep up with demand. Time to think of a career change Mr. Accountant.

The last I heard the local electrician's union had hundreds of workers without a paycheck. Hopefully things have gotten better in the past year.