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Construction employment declined in 27 states  between June 2010 and 2011 and dropped in 22 states and D.C. between May and June, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of state employment data released by the Labor Department.  The construction industry continues to suffer from a difficult combination of weak private sector demand and declining public sector investments in construction. “There is no getting around the fact this industry is stuck in a multi-year slump,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. Association officials called on Congress to enact new, or extend existing, federal aviation legislation to ensure $2.5 billion worth of airport construction projects aren’t brought to a halt this weekend.  “The last thing this industry needs is a halt to an entire category of construction activity,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. Read press release .  The news was covered by , , , , , and the .