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Construction employment declined in 164 out of 337 metropolitan areas between May 2011 and May 2012, increased in 126 and stayed stagnant in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that construction employment continues to suffer even as Congress continues to debate the possible replacement for a highway and transit bill that expired over three years ago, and other infrastructure and economic measures languish. “The number of metro areas losing construction jobs continues to increase compared to earlier this year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.  “Considering the ongoing cuts to public construction budgets, there just isn’t enough construction work in many areas to sustain the same employment levels as last year.” Read the full press release . The news was covered by the , , , , , , , , , , , and across the country.