The December jobless rate was five point eight per cent of the state workforce, the same as in November, but down from six point five per cent a year ago. According to Department of Finance principal economist Dennis Myers, the decline in the number of jobs last month was due in part to the slow start of the Holiday shopping season. CUT: DennisMyers14 :14 Myers said the number of movie industry jobs also declined last month, but most other job categories showed increases, led by the strong construction sector. Overall, the number of payroll jobs in California increased by just over 150 thousand during 2004. SOC