I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time writing this as I’m still laughing after reading the article. In the software development field, we often have a joke that any time the Quality Assurance department slows down development due to finding too many bugs in the software, the suggestion is that we should shut down the Quality Assurance department to speed things up again. But we mean it jokingly. Unfortunately, our governor is using that logic for real.
On WPRO.com, Governor Chafee is trying to spin the 60-70 layoffs at the Department of Labor and Training (DLT) as an indication that Rhode Island’s economy is improving.

When asked if he really believes that this is a sign that the economy is recovering he said, “Yes, I do. Slowly but surely we are stabilizing, and ticking in the right direction.”

Ok Gov, then how do we explain:

In April, the state’s unemployment rate rose for the third consecutive month from 11.1% to 11.2%.

Maybe if we bring that all the way up to 12 or 13 percent, then Rhode Island’s economy will be really booming?

Governor Lincoln Chafee says the 60 to 70 layoffs coming to the unemployment office at the Department of Labor and Training is an indicator that the Rhode Island economy is recovering.

Here’s my great idea on how to completely fix the RI economy. If laying off DLT employees means we’re improving, then let’s simply close the office completely! We can then say we have a great economy because we don’t even need a DLT!

Chafee said there are less unemployment requests to process so the office can survive with less staff. “Well the DLT is the opposite of the economy when the economy is bad they are hiring to deal with the unemployment insurance issues and as the economy stabilized unfortunately it goes the other way they start to lay off those employees that they had to hire during the glut of unemployment insurance requests,” said Chafee.

We have fewer claims on unemployment insurance, so that means we’re improving the economy? Oh boy. Or maybe people have been out of work for so long, their benefits have run out. Or they’ve just given up. Or they’ve moved out of state.
Yep, he’s our governor. You really couldn’t even make this stuff up.