Construction Employment Increased in 30 States and D.C. Between November and December

Construction employment expanded in two-thirds of all states in December and in half the nation last year as the industry showed signs of emerging from a six-year slump, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that contractors responding to a recent survey expect to add more workers in 2013. "These results show that contractors are finding work in more parts of the country than they have for many months," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Further gains appear likely but could be derailed if lawmakers do not keep debt markets operating normally." Read the full press release here.