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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 2018)
Page 6 The Skanner August 8, 2018 News Jobs Boom Favors Democratic Counties, Not Trump Strongholds 58.5 percent of the job gains in the past year were in counties that backed Hillary Clinton By Josh Boak AP Economics Writer MONACA, Pennsylva- nia — The United States is on pace to add about 2.6 million jobs this year under President Donald Trump’s watch. Yet the bulk of the hiring has occurred in bastions of Democratic voters rath- er than in the Republican counties that put Trump in the White House. On average for the year-ended this May, 58.5 percent of the job gains were in counties that backed Democrat Hil- lary Clinton in 2016, ac- cording to an Associated Press analysis of month- ly government jobs data by county. Despite an otherwise robust national econo- my, the analysis shows that a striking num- ber of Trump counties are losing jobs. The AP found that 35.4 percent of Trump counties have shed jobs in the past year, compared with just 19.2 percent of Clinton coun- ties. The jobs data shows an economy that is as fractured as the politi- cal landscape ahead of the 2018 midterm elec- tions. As more money pools in such corporate hubs as Houston, San Francisco or Seattle, prosperity spills over less and less to small- er towns and cities in America’s interior. That would seem to undercut what Trump sees as a central ac- complishment of his administration — job creation for middle class and blue-collar workers in towns far removed from bus- tling urban centers. Job growth in Trump’s economy is still concentrated in the same general plac- es as it was toward the end of Barack Obama’s presidency — when roughly 58.7 percent of the average annu- al job gains were in Democratic counties. Yet the lack of trans- formative job growth in Trump areas hasn’t seemed to erode his support among Re- publicans, while hir- ing in Democratic ar- eas have done little to improve his standing with those voters. For Trump’s core support- ers, cultural issues such as gun rights, im- migration and loyalty to the president have become dominant prior- ities. Trump has pointed with pride at a strength- ening national economy in hopes that voters will reward the Republican Party by preserving its majorities in the House and Senate this year. The government reported the fastest quarterly eco- nomic growth since 2014 and the unemployment rate is a healthy 3.9 per- cent. At a Pennsylvania rally on Thursday, the president declared, “Our economy is soaring. Our jobs are booming.” But other issues pre- occupy the minds of the party faithful in Trump strongholds such as Bea- ver County, Pennsylva- nia, northwest of Pitts- burgh. Chip Kohser, the coun- ty Republican chairman and the bristle-bearded See JOBS on page 7 Pet Staycation: Preparing Your Home for a Pet Sitter By Jasmine Streeter, DVM Special to The Skanner News A ugust is a popular months for travel- ers. Whether your packing up for a last-minute vacation out the country or heading off to a family reunion, it’s possible you may not be able to take your fur baby with you. I traveled extensively this summer and listed a few tips that helped keep my peace of mind while away from my little ones. Caregiver: Choose a responsible adult who truly enjoys spending time with your pets. Your pets should like them too! Give the caregiver a range of times to arrive and take care of your animals. It’s best to emulate their nor- mal schedule as much as possible. For exam- Dr. Jasmine Shanelle Streeter Veterinarian ple, you might suggest they come between 7-9 a.m. and 12-2 p.m. Also, make sure the person you choose has adequate transportation so your pets won’t be placed in an uncomfortable position. Food & Water: Pro- vide detailed instruc- tions on feeding your pet while away. Write the amount of food to be given, how often to feed, and location where feeding should occur. Also inform the sitter of any quirks your pet has during meals or if they display food aggression. Note the location of food bins and where to find fresh water since many sitters may not be famil- iar with your home. Also provide enough food for the duration of your trip so your pet isn’t left hun- gry. Medication: Pets that require daily medications or special supplements should continue to receive their medications even if you are on vacation. Provide Soleil enjoying her Staycation detailed descriptions and if possible a tutori- al on how to administer your pets medication. Try to choose individu- als who are comfortable and have experience ad- ministering pet meds. Make sure medications are clearly labeled and kept out of reach of nos- ey pets. Walks: If your pet sitter will be going on walks, show them the routes in your area that your dog or cat likes. Take them on a walk with you be- fore leaving so you can answer any questions they have. Inform them if you pet is fond of other animals and dog parks or if they would appreciate a quiet stroll in Forest Park. Dog & Cat Proofing: When moms away, your pets will play. Many pets behave differently when separated from their families and may even become destruc- tive. Take the time to puppy/kitty-proof your home before leaving to reduce the risk of acci- dents. Emergency Contact: Always leave an emer- gency contact in your area that can be contact- ed if something goes wrong. Inform the per- son you have listed so they will be aware they may be receiving a call. Hopefully everything runs smoothly, but its best to be prepared. Veterinary Information & Contact: Consider briefly re- viewing a copy of your pet’s vaccine and medical history with your sitter. Provide your veterinary hospital information and nearest emergency hospital number in case your caregiver needs medical attention. Wishing you amazing travels filled with beau- tiful moments, and for your pets, rest and relax- ation on these hot sum- mer days. Enjoy! You can ask Dr. Jasmine your pet question or email your pet photo to drjas- mine@theskanner.com. Your topic may be dis- cussed in a future column!
