KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – One Kalamazoo County economist is watching to see what happens with today’s federal jobs report, because local money is at stake.
Kalamazoo County Chief Deputy Treasurer Tyler White oversees the money the county government takes in, and invests it until it’s needed.
“I bring this up because we may end up blindsided by changing economic conditions that aren’t reflected in the data we get from Washington.”
He says the firing of the Commissioner of Labor Statistics Erika McEntarfer by President Trump after an unfavorable report last time has sparked concerns whether the new director will bend to political pressures. White hopes that’s not the case.
“It’s our sincere hope that the Bureau of Civil Service ethos is unchanged, though we are a little less confident right now than we were in June.”
White says the U.S. government is the gold standard for economic data, and he relies on labor, inflation and other reports for making the county’s investments.
White says the county is on pace right now to earn $7.3 million in interest this year, money that can be used to fund local programs and operations.
Today’s labor numbers could influence whether the Federal Reserve cuts the interest rate in a couple of weeks.
The debate over White House moves was why Federal Reserve board nominee Steven Miran also faced tough grilling on Capitol Hill yesterday over whether he could maintain the Fed’s autonomy amid concerns of political influence.
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