North Carolina’s unemployment rate has fallen below 10 percent for the first time in nearly a year-and-a-half, but the state still shed jobs in July.

The state has had a higher unemployment rate than the national average for about 2 1/2 years. Joseph Coletti blames much of North Carolina’s problems on government policies, including the overspending that has led to a budget gap of at least $3 billion next year.

Joe offers more details here and in the video clip below.