AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas unemployment rate held steady at 8.5 percent in September as the state bounced back from a month of job losses by adding more than 15,000 positions.
The Texas Workforce Commission said Friday the increase in jobs came after the state dramatically revised the number of nonfarm job losses in August to 21,600 from the initially reported figure of 1,300. It was the first month of job losses this year, according to commission figures.
The U.S. jobless rate also held steady in September at 9.1 percent.
Commission Chairman Tom Pauken said he was "encouraged" by the state adding 26,500 private sector jobs in September.
Professional and business services added 18,400 jobs in September, while government lost another 11,100 positions and has dropped 33,700 jobs over the past year.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
