Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 19, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.7 percent in July, despite the creation of 26,500 new private-sector jobs, state officials announced Friday. Out of a labor force of more than 9.7 million Floridians, 456,000 could not find work. Gov. Rick Scott noted that July marked the 52nd consecutive month that Florida job growth outpaced the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 17, 2016

The state’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in May, according to new employment figures released by state’s jobs agency Friday. Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in May, down from 4.8 percent in April. The rate is down from 5.4 percent a year ago, according to monthly employment numbers released by the Florida Department […]

Shannon NickinsonFebruary 10, 2016

Does Pensacola have the skills to pay the bills? Signs may be turning toward yes. The announcement that Pensacola State will host the state conference for one of the leading career and technical education conferences from 2018 to 2020 may be a sign that we’re getting there. PSC will host SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and […]

Associated PressFebruary 1, 2016

The Florida Legislature is being asked to give tens of millions to help sports teams in Jacksonville and Miami and Daytona International Speedway. The state’s economic development agency on Monday forwarded three sports applications to state lawmakers to review. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity did not rank the applications but suggested that all three […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 13, 2016

Florida Chamber of Commerce members are taking over Tallahassee. The 2016 Florida Chamber’s Capitol Days kicks off Wednesday. The two-day event is meant to give the business community a chance to interact with lawmakers and advocate for issues that are important to them. Edie Ousley, the chamber’s vice president of public affairs, said the annual […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday that Florida’s private-sector growth rate of 3.6 percent in November was the highest among the country’s 10 most-populous states. November marked the ninth consecutive month Florida was tops among large states. The state’s private-sector job growth rate was also higher than the national growth rate of 2.1 percent. “Florida businesses […]

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 […]

Associated PressNovember 10, 2015

Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs is making plans to lay off more than 450 workers. According to a notice posted on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website Monday, the company plans 468 layoffs to take place between Jan. 6 and 19. In February Planet Hollywood said it was transforming its Orlando flagship location into […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 7, 2015

As we join family and friends at barbeques, pool parties, and picnics this weekend, it is worth reflecting on Florida’s remarkable economic turnaround. This Labor Day, Florida’s workforce is presented with pathways to prosperity that were unthinkable just a few years ago. The Great Recession hit Florida hard. Our unemployment rate skyrocketed to 11.2 percent, […]

Shannon NickinsonJune 9, 2015

This map could be the key to improving our relationship with water for years to come. If we make it come alive. A chain of parks that runs underneath Interstate 110 and through the Longhollow neighborhood. A “daylighted” version of Washerwoman’s Creek, which used to empty into Pensacola Bay near what is now the Baskerville […]

Tag: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

Florida unemployment rate steady at 4.7 percent

Florida unemployment rate at 4.7 percent in May

Shannon Nickinson: Workers with technical skills vital to Pensacola

Legislature asked to consider money for sports teams

Florida Chamber: Capitol Days focus on issues important to business community

Rick Scott: Florida’s private-sector job growth tops large states

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

Disney’s Planet Hollywood to lay off 468 workers next year

Jesse Panuccio: Florida workers have much to celebrate this Labor Day

Shannon Nickinson: Hunting for millions with stormwater 'treasure map'