Louisiana’s Unemployment Rate Lower For December 2012

Louisiana's unemployment rate fell to 5.5% in December 2012 from 5.8% in November, but there were 11,400 fewer jobs.  In Texas, the jobless rate dropped for the fourth consecutive month to 6.1% from 6.2% in November.  Texas officials say the state economy grew 2.5% in 2012.  In Arkansas, the unemployment rate rose to 7.1% from 7.2%.  Arkansas officials note that their state's unemployment rate is still below the national average, which is 7.8%.