AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Sales tax collections across Texas continued their slide in January as major sectors like retail, fuel production and construction posted lower numbers.

The state collected $1.66 billion in sales tax revenue last month, down 14.2 percent from January 2009 - the third-highest collection month ever.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said Friday that sales tax collections were expected to continue to decline in the coming months but that the decline should moderate. She said a growth in sales is expected in the second quarter.