A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Rick Scott touted another month of historically low 3.6 percent unemployment, and 14,000 new jobs created in November.
Gov. Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s unemployment rate is at a 10-year low and that nearly 14,000 jobs were created for families across the state last month. As we near the end of the year, it is important to reflect on how far our state has come and how we must continue to fight every day to build on this success.
“Over the past seven years, we have turned around Florida’s economy which has allowed us to make record investments in education, transportation and environmental protection. I look forward to kicking off 2018 by working to continue cutting taxes, supporting job creation and education opportunities, and doing all we can to help secure Florida’s future for every family. Florida is a national leader in job creation and the rest of the nation should follow our lead,” Scott added.
Glowing words from the state’s leader, but beneath the headlines is a story that is more troubling.
Of the 17,045,000 in Florida’s civilian non-institutional population, 9,754,000 are employed — a rate of 56 percent. This is below a 60 percent rate nationwide.
The jobs, of course, aren’t everywhere: among the leaders in unemployment rate are Hendry County (7.3 percent) in Florida, Hardee County (6.1 percent), and Citrus County (5.3 percent).
Most metro areas gained jobs over the year; the exceptions are Fort Myers and Homosassa Springs, which lost 300 and 100 jobs respectively since Nov. 2016.
The biggest gainers: Orlando‐Kissimmee‐Sanford (+38,800 jobs, +3.1 percent); Tampa‐St. Petersburg‐Clearwater(+30,600 jobs, +2.3 percent); and Miami‐Miami Beach‐Kendall (+27,100 jobs, +2.3 percent).
Still, that job boom has left a lot of the state behind.
Per the Florida Chamber, 53.7 percent of Florida counties have fewer jobs than they did in 2007.
And there are questions that have been raised about the quality of such jobs, in terms of ability to live off the wages of what used to be a traditional 40 hour work week.
9 comments
Ray Blacklidge
December 22, 2017 at 11:10 am
The whole story is some people will never be happy. Mr. Gancarski appears to be a glass half full type of writers. The great State of Florida endured a recession, and Rick Scott did what he promised, he brought back jobs. The State is headed in the right direction unlike Illinois, California and New York, no doubt prime examples of the whole story to Mr. Gancarski. Illinois and California are basically bankrupt and their debt weighs heavy on their citizens, every county, every wage earner no matter the quality of their jobs. Yes Mr. Gancarski Florida is a national leader in job creation and the rest of the nation should follow our lead. You are correct employment doesn’t tell the whole story. Being fiscally responsible in state govern spending and getting more jobs is the Whole story of the fantastic success of Florida and it’s example should be followed by other States and also by the Federal Government. My two bits…..
TooBadIgnoranceIsntPainful
December 24, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Regardless your opinion the numbers are factual.
Scott contributed to the recession in Florida with his scam bilking Medicade and Medicare via HCA in the largest medical fraud case ever in U.S. history with record settlement. And yes, Scott admitted as much in 2010.
Any Mcjobs for which Scott tries and takes credit for (and for which you attribute him) will never offset the damage he did.
In addition, the number of jobs added under Scott are no more than those shared by his predecessors. In fact, he’s done worse than many. Many.
Sandra Duenas
December 23, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Despite how much I like FP reporting, it is refreshing to see a report from Florida Politics that is not just repeating what the politicians say, but including statistical research to expose the truth about the lies politicians keep saying and some media repeating like parrots. Research and holistic editing are important.
Claudette Brown
December 26, 2017 at 10:52 am
Floridians need livable wages. How can anyone with a post graduate degree earn less than $50,000 annually. That’s a disgrace if he or she is paid less. Graduates are moving out of state for better salaries. Can you blame them?
Raymond Blacklidge
December 27, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Wow so many people complaining about low unemployment, and so much misinformation as there reasons for complaining. Florida adds (net) over 500 people a day and many from States where salaries maybe higher but with that everything else costs more too! Illinois taxes the heck out of there Citizens. Don’t be fooled by these naysayers, if Governor Scott gave every Floridian a $100 they would still complain about something, either they lived here longer than their neighbor so they should get more than the new comers or their neighbor makes more money so they should get more than their richer neighbors. People get a life!
Raymond Blacklidge
December 27, 2017 at 12:56 pm
OK auto correct messed with their and there sorry
Claudette Brown
December 28, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Its all about the weather. I have known so many teachers who are planning to return to New York because they cannot retire on Florida’s salary.
Ray Blacklidge
December 29, 2017 at 10:10 am
I know plenty of people moving here from New York to avoid their high tax structure. Planning on returning to New York to teach and actually investigating and deciding to actual move back to NY are two different things.
HARRIET FARNHAM
December 26, 2017 at 11:57 am
Mr. Scott is full of nonsense. First, the statistics dont show how many unemployed cant be counted because they are not on the unemployment rolls. Our unemployment was cut from 12 months to 3 months by him and the amount is still $275 a week- one of the lowest in the nation, while the cost of living and housing goes up by around 5% a year or more. On top of that the many”jobs” created pay somewhere in the range of $15 – $18 an hour with a bachelors degree and experience in the given field. Those wages wont support one person in this economy let alone a family. So don’t let the “numbers” fool you. The state has gotten harder to survive in under Scott’s reign and continues to be a place where working families are trying to exist on poverty level incomes.
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