California employers quieted any lingering doubts about the state's economy in August, as an uptick in hiring helped absorb hoards of new job-seekers last month.  [...]

Since last August, the state has inflated payrolls by 378,000 workers -- a 2.3% gain. Despite new paid-leave mandates, a rising minimum wage and strict environmental regulations, California has managed to grow faster than the rest of the country for several months.