Staff Reports
Texas is once again waving the employment banner. The Texas Workforce Commission’s new report shows the state added about 154,300 nonfarm jobs over the last year, a 1.1% annual gain that the state says outpaces the nation. That headline looks good on a bumper sticker. But the details are where the argument lives — and where policy should follow.
What the new jobs report actually says
The latest TWC numbers put total nonfarm payrolls at roughly 14.46 million after a small month-to-month dip of 11,100 jobs in September. The civilian labor force ticked up by about 15,800, though the year-over-year labor-force gain was tiny by comparison. Governor Greg Abbott and TWC Chairman Joe Esparza point to the 154,300 annual job gain and higher average wages as proof Texas is doing something right. They aren’t wrong — Texas is growing faster than the national average right now — but seasonality and methodology matter when you play the comparison game. Be careful which unemployment rate you quote and how you compare it to the national number.
JET grants and hiring campaigns: pipeline investment or political chest-thump?
Short-term hires versus long-term skills
Abbott announced more than $20 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) career-training grants and TWC touts programs like Hiring Red, White & You! and Texas HireAbility. Those are the kinds of investments conservatives should like: targeted, market-friendly, and aimed at getting folks into real jobs with real pay. But don’t expect a $20 million grant round to instantly erase a monthly payroll drop. Training grants build the workforce pipeline over months and years. If Texas wants sustained outperformance, keep funding practical skills and let businesses lead on hiring.
Regional gaps and sector movements demand attention
The state report also shows uneven ground. Manufacturing led month-over-month gains, while government payrolls slipped. Metro areas like Midland boast very low jobless rates, while border MSAs still lag. That regional divergence is predictable in a big state, but it should shape where policy money lands. Send training funds to places with real employer demand, not just to programs that look good in a press release.
Bottom line: celebrate the wins, but keep working
Yes, Texas is winning the job-growth headline this month. That’s thanks to a pro-growth climate, private-sector hiring, and sensible workforce programs. But the state should not rest on a single stat or a one-time grant announcement. Keep tightening the workforce pipeline, match training to employer demand, and remember that good policy is steady, not flashy. In short: Governor Abbott and TWC are doing the right kinds of things — now let’s make sure those things keep working where Texans need them most.
