If the robin heralds the arrival of spring, what do improved economic statistics portend? Either better days are ahead or we’re merely in a temporary lift from the trough of recession.David Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute notes that the state’s unemployment has dropped, state revenue collections beat the estimate for the first time in 14 months, building permits in the fourth quarter of 2009 were up 38 percent from the comparable quarter of 2008 and increases in food stamp and Medicaid recipients are the lowest since early 2009. If the robin heralds the arrival of spring, what do improved economic statistics portend? Either better days are ahead or we’re merely in a temporary lift from the trough of recession. What better time than the first day of spring to finally report some good economic news? Unfortunately for state workers, it’s still very much winter. For revenues to beat estimates is good, but not nearly as good as having revenues be higher than they were a year ago. Still, Blatt says the latest numbers show "growing signs of an upswing.” This is no Disney moment, when wild animals and birds gather in harmony, but it’s encouraging nevertheless. The mere hint of optimism could make consumers open their wallets more and improve sales tax collections or businesses to hire more and improve income tax collections. It’s been unusually cold and cloudy in Oklahoma for several months, both literally and figuratively. This year, spring couldn’t get here fast enough.Read more: http://newsok.com/spring-brings-some-good-news/article/3447886?custom_click=headlines_widget#ixzz0ilbH73YV