Texas leads nation for job growth in May

Houston Business Journal - Austin Business Journal

Texas added more jobs than any other state in May, picking up about 43,600 positions, according to a study by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation released Thursday.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission data shows the Lone Star State achieving the largest non-agricultural job gain month-to-month and its largest monthly gain in more than three years. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area added about 20,200 nonagricultural jobs in May.

“Individuals and businesses are flocking to Texas during these tough economic times,” AFPF State Director Peggy Venable said. “The reason for this is clear – our business environment is competitive, taxes are low, and we have no income tax. All of the right elements are in place to ensure prosperity and opportunity in our state.”

National unemployment statistics for June are scheduled to come out July 2, while state and local numbers will be released July 16. Austin unemployment fell to 6.9 percent last month from 7 percent, while the national rate hit 9.3 percent.