Oklahoma by the Numbers

The Oklahoma Policy Institute has just released their April edition of Numbers You Need. Here's the short version:

Oklahoma unemployment rose steeply in February to 5.5 percent--the highest rate here since 2003, but still well below the national average. Inflation rose slightly. Growth in personal income in the final quarter of 2008 was anemic, but nationwide, personal income declined. The number of Oklahomans taking part in the program formerly known as food stamps grew for the tenth straight month. High energy prices have had a noticeable effect on the state's production of natural gas and oil. Finally, "State revenue collections continued their downward spiral in March."