The Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports that NJ's economy lost 12,000 jobs in July
Friday, Aug 17, 2012 | Updated 1:11 PM EDT

New Jersey's unemployment rate hit a 35-year high in July, rising to 9.8 percent and reversing two consecutive months of strong private-sector jobs growth, according to figures released Thursday.

The state's jobless rate rose 0.2 percent in July. It has now been at or above 9 percent for 38 consecutive months.

The July unemployment rate is 1.5 percentage points higher than the national rate. Nationally, unemployment rose by one-tenth of 1 percent in July, to 8.3 percent. The state had 12,000 fewer nonfarm jobs in July than it did in June.

"It is a disappointing report after a couple of months in which the state appeared to be ma..
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