Dive Brief:
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Half of U.S. states lost construction jobs between May and June, a reality that Associated General Contractors of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson called “troubling.”
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Yet 39 states counted more construction jobs in June 2015 than during the same month last year, according to an AGC analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data.
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Illinois and New Jersey lost the greatest number of jobs over the month, while New York and Minnesota led the 24 states that added positions.
Dive Insight:
Simonson blamed the dwindling number of construction jobs on a lack of federal funding for the country’s transportation infrastructure. He said a greater federal investment in highways and bridges would “make it easier for many firms involved in highway and transit construction to add new staff.”
On Wednesday, the Senate opened up debate for a multi-year funding measure after some delays.
“Passing a long-term highway and transit bill will provide the kind of funding certainty many construction firms need to expand payrolls and invest in new equipment,” Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.