AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas' jobless rate fell to 7 percent in March, marking the seventh consecutive month of decline.
The Texas Workforce Commission says the state's unemployment rate was down from 7.1 percent in February and 8 percent a year ago.
Commission Chairman Tom Pauken says the Texas economy continues to show strength.
The commission says the state added 10,900 nonfarm jobs in March and its jobless rate has consistently remained below the national unemployment rate. Local figures are not seasonally adjusted.
Leisure and hospitality sectors were out front in March with 6,000 new jobs, followed by a jump of 3,100 positions in information services.
Midland again had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.7 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission region tied with Brownsville-Harlingen for the highest at 10.7 percent.
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