Unemployment rate unchanged

For the first time since late 2007, Oregon???s unemployed rate remained flat in April, a sign that the state's faltering economy might finally be stabilizing.

???Today???s employment rate gives us some hope that our economy is no longer in free fall, and that the efforts by President Obama to provide a parachute for our economy are starting to deliver results," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski, in a news release.

The 12 percent rate in April fell slightly from March???s revised 11.9 percent, according to Art Ayre, the state???s employment economist. State economists originally said March's rate was 12.1 percent.

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However, the state???s unemployment rate remains far above the 5.6 percent it hit a year ago. Plus the state continues to lose jobs. Oregon lost 9,500 jobs last month, following a revised drop of 9,700 jobs in March figures.

On Friday, state economist Tom Potiowsky said the state may not recover from the economic slump until 2011 and unemployment could hit 14 percent in the next year.

Kulongoski also revealed a plan Friday to put 12,000 Oregonians to work by July 1.

Monday's jobs report shows fewer residents (242,550) filed unemployment claims last month, compared to 252,155 in March.

Manufacturing and construction sectors each lost 3,100 jobs while professional and business services companies cut 3,800.

The trade, transportation and utilities sectors shed 1,400 jobs while wood product manufacturers lost 1,000 jobs.

The government (2,100) and education and health services (400) sectors added positions.

The current figures do not include some 500 positions that Nike Inc., of Beaverton, said last week it will eliminate.

The next report comes out June 15.