Friday, August 19, 2011

Houston sheds 9,200 jobs after schools cuts | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston sheds 9,200 jobs after schools cuts | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston sheds 9,200 jobs as schools cut back

By L.M. SIXEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Aug. 19, 2011, 11:24AM

Job losses in public education overwhelmed any local private sector job growth during July, according to new data released today by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The Houston area lost a net 9,200 jobs last month. Despite gains in health care, manufacturing and energy exploration and production, the creation of 5,100 private sector jobs couldn't make up for the loss of 14,300 government positions.

Job losses included 14,900 in local education and 700 in state education.

At the same time, the local unemployment rate dipped slightly to 8.9 percent in July. The Houston area jobless rate, which is not adjusted for seasonal variations, was 9 percent in June.

In Texas, however, the unemployment rate increased to 8.4 percent in July. The statewide rate, which is adjusted for typical seasonal influences such as major holidays, school schedules and planting and harvesting seasons, was 8.2 percent in June.

Despite the increase in the statewide rate, July was the 10th consecutive month Texas added jobs, according to the



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