1 IN 8 SOUTH CAROLINA WORKERS WITHOUT A JOB

As has been the case for the last few months now, South Carolina’s astronomical unemployment rate continued to climb in May, reaching a record 12.1 percent.

That number — up six-tenths of a percent from April — left the state with the third highest jobless rate in the nation, despite gaining 11,800 new jobs last month.

One in eight residents are now without work — totaling 266,196 people — largely due to manufacturing plant closures.

Attorney General Henry McMaster called on Gov. Mark Sanford and the state legislature to quit using the issue as a political football and get something done for the people of South Carolina.

“This is no time to play the blame game,” McMaster said. “We’re facing an historic crisis. It’s time to stop the infighting and work together for a change.

“With the resources, the talent, and the assets we have in South Carolina, there is absolutely no excuse for us to have one of the highest jobless rates in the nation.”

Allendale County remained the worst-off in the state, with 22.1 percent unemployment while Lexington County held the lowest number at 8.1 percent.