TX Jobless Rate Highest In 22 Years

By Shelley Kofler, KERA News

Dallas, TX –

The Texas unemployment rate in August rose to 8 percent. That's the highest it's been in 22 years. KERA's Shelley Kofler has more on the jobs picture.

In August Texas lost more than 62,000 jobs. The Department of Labor says that's the most for any state.

Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken says new jobless claims appear to be leveling off, but the number of people who continue to be unemployed remains consistently high. Pauken says most Texas employers just aren't hiring.

Navigate the recession with KERA! Get tips on avoiding foreclosure, access job resources and more at kera.org/economy. Pauken: Where we lost jobs and lost substantial number of jobs was in the manufacture and construction areas. Those concern me because I don't see anything national we're doing to encourage jobs there. And the third area where we lost jobs was in leisure and hospitality. So that tells me people are being cautious with their money in this economy environment we are in.

Some jobs were added in the education and healthcare sectors.

The jobless rate in Dallas- Fort Worth-Arlington area remained at 8.3 percent, above the state average of 8 percent.

Email Shelley Kofler