A look at the jobs tally as of October 2014

Wisconsin employers reported another strong month of hiring in October, according to the latest monthly report released by the state Department of Workforce Development.

Private sector employers added 4,000 jobs in October, according to the preliminary estimate. The report also shaved 300 jobs off the tally for September, putting that month’s increase at  8,100.

So the net result was an increase of 3,700 jobs. October was the fifth month in 2014 where the state report showed an increase.

We’ve been monitoring the jobs numbers because in his first campaign for governor, Republican Scott Walker promised the state would add 250,000 jobs by the end of his four-year term. We declared that Promise Broken in September when it was evident the goal was out of reach.

But where does the latest count put us?

For our tally, we use the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which surveys nearly all state businesses, to get the most accurate picture for Walker's first three years in office. We then combine that with monthly survey data -- which comes from reports gathered from a small percentage of state businesses -- to provide the most up-to-date picture for where things stand.

The latest report puts our count at 114,995, or just under half of the goal. Employers would have to add 135,005 jobs in the final two months of 2014 for Walker to meet his promise.