Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsAugust 18, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott announced the creation of more than 26,000 private-sector jobs in July, with the unemployment rate remaining at “the lowest rate in a decade, 4.1 percent.” “Over the past six and a half years, we have worked relentlessly to cut taxes, reduce burdensome regulations and completely turn around Florida’s economy,” Scott said in […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott said ‘let there be jobs’—and there were jobs. And the jobs numbers were good. In fact, in one key metric—the official unemployment rate—the numbers were the best in a decade. Florida’s unemployment rate “has dropped to its lowest rate in 10 years and nearly 18,000 new jobs were created for families across the state in […]

Scott PowersDecember 16, 2016

Florida added another 31,600 private-sector jobs in November, the 56th consecutive month of job growth in the Sunshine State, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Orlando continued to lead the state in job growth in November, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went up slightly since October and held […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 9, 2016

Florida added another 15,200 private sector jobs last month, according to a new report released by payroll company ADP. The ADP Regional Employment Report shows the Sunshine State increased by 14,100 service industry jobs and another 1,100 goods-producing jobs, split evenly between manufacturing and mining and construction. Professional and business services positions made up 4,000 […]

Associated PressMay 1, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is heading west for a three-day California jobs jaunt that is drawing fire from Democrats. Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz says the governor on Sunday leaves on a trade mission to Los Angeles, San Jose and San Francisco where he is scheduled to meet with 13 companies. Scott will also participate in […]

Drew WilsonMarch 9, 2016

Florida added 20,200 jobs in February according to data released Wednesday by payroll company ADP. The total bested all but California in the Regional Employment Report and is an improvement of about 2,300 jobs over January numbers and 5,000 jobs over the February 2015 total. California, which has the largest population among the states, saw […]

Guest AuthorDecember 10, 2015

It’s computer science education week. We are anticipating the largest learning event in history through the Hour of Code this week. While I’m writing this column, 147,908,891 learners have received a cost-free introduction to coding and computer science around the globe and across 40 different languages. Google, Facebook, SalesForce, Disney Infinity, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, College […]

Ryan RayDecember 3, 2015

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity issued a final order Thursday afternoon ruling that drivers for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are “independent contractors” rather than employees per se. As such, drivers for the transportation network companies do not qualify for unemployment benefits, which are paid in part by former employers of laid off workers. “The Department finds […]

Ryan RayNovember 24, 2015

Northwest Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his support of a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott to overhaul the state’s public-private business recruiting vehicle, Enterprise Florida. Scott is seeking to create a $250 million fund to help sustain Enterprise Florida Inc., which uses revenues from the state and other sources to encourage out-of-state businesses to create jobs in the state. “I’m proud […]

Guest AuthorMay 10, 2015

It is May, a season of hope and fulfillment of dreams. Graduations bloom new flowers all across our state. A limitless future of choices and chances stand before those who are crossing our stages. I recently had the privilege of offering my thoughts through a commencement address to the students receiving graduate degrees from St. […]

Tag: employment
Image via AP.

Rick Scott: Florida unemployment down to 4.1 percent

Rick Scott: Florida unemployment lowest in decade

Rick Scott touts 31K new jobs added in Florida in November

Florida adds more than 15K private-sector jobs in August

California Dreamin’: Rick Scott heads west to seek jobs

Florida adds 20K jobs in February

Teresa Barber: Coding to catch up the literacy we’ve ignored

DEO rules Uber drivers are independent contractors for employment purposes

Matt Gaetz backs Rick Scott’s Enterprise Florida requests

Ed Moore: It's commencement season, but 'commencing' what?