June 19, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's unemployment rate rose to a record 12.1 percent in May.

Friday's report showed a sharp increase from the record 11.4 percent set in April and was driven higher by job losses in manufacturing.

April's jobless rate was the nation's third highest. Comparable data will be released later.

Coastal Carolina University Economist Don Schunk told the state Board of Economic Advisors last week that he expected the May jobless report would show about 12 percent unemployed. He says the state's rate will peak above 13 percent by the end of the year and average 15 percent next year.

Gov. Mark Sanford says the Legislature needs to do more to create jobs by cutting taxes. But the Legislature says Sanford needs to do more industry recruiting.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)