Kansas Unemployment Rate Up

Kansas labor officials say the state’s

unemployment rate hit 6.7 percent last month, up from 6.4 percent

in October and 6.3 percent in November 2009.

Monthly figures being released Friday also show Kansas added

3,000 nonfarm jobs last month, including 1,700 in the private

sector.

The state Labor Department says Kansas has added 7,800 private

sector jobs since November of last year.

Republican Gov.-elect Sam Brownback has made reducing

unemployment the centerpiece of his administration, including

adjustments in the tax structure to stimulate growth. Brownback

takes office in January.