IN AUGUST 2014, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states and decreased in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The largest over-the-month increases in employment occurred in California (+44,200), Florida (+22,700), and Texas (+20,100).

The data, released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, come at an inopportune time for Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder. Snyder, locked in a battle for re-election, is leaning heavily on his job creation record.

The largest over-the-month decrease in employment occurred in Michigan (-9,500), followed by Arizona (-5,400) and Massachusetts (-5,300).

The largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment occurred in New Mexico (+0.6 percent), followed by Nebraska (+0.5 percent) and Alabama and Georgia (+0.4 percent each).

The largest over-the-month percentage decline in employment occurred in New Hampshire (-0.7 percent), followed by the District of Columbia and Idaho (-0.6 percent each). Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 49 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in Alaska (-0.8 percent).

The largest over-the-year percentage increase occurred in North Dakota (+4.4 percent), followed by Nevada, Texas, and Utah (+3.5 percent each).