Historically, the state usually falls further behind the nation during periods of economic weakness, as experienced in 2002 into 2003. However, job quality also fell by more than the national average in 2004.
I would say that Arizona would be clearly one of the more hard hit (states).
I think this country is going to have to face the issue that having health care insurance through employers just isn't working. It means a lot of people don't have insurance.
The annual change can't stay this high. Maybe for another year, but it will have to slow.
In Arizona, far more jobs are created than can be filled by the local population.