Florida’s Economic Recovery Continues to Lag Behind the Rest of the Nation Under Gov. Scott’s Leadership
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Democratic Party Spokeswoman Brannon Jordan today issued the following statement in response to reports Florida’s unemployment rate is at 9.4-percent.
“Today’s news is another stark reminder that Florida continues to lag behind the rest of the nation under Gov. Rick Scott’s extreme Tea Party agenda. Thanks to the leadership of President Obama, the nation’s economy is turning around but here at home the unemployment rate still remains among the highest in the country. Gov. Scott’s far-right agenda has failed Florida’s families and it’s time he put aside polarizing social issues and focus on strengthening the economy and growing jobs.”
Background: Gov. Rick Scott’s Tea Party Agenda is Dragging Down Florida’s Economic Recovery
Under Gov. Rick Scott, Florida’s unemployment rate continues to be higher than the rest of the country. At 9.4-percent, Florida’s unemployment rate is higher than states like Ohio (7.6-percent), Texas (7.1-percent) and Georgia (9.1-percent) [Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified 3/30/2012
Under Gov. Rick Scott, Florida’s unemployment rate is over 10 points higher than the national average. At 9.4-percent, Florida’s unemployment rate is over 10 points higher than the national average of 8.3-percent. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified 3/30/2012]
Under Gov. Rick Scott, Florida has the 45th highest unemployment rate in the country. Only 6 other states have a higher unemployment rate than Florida. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, last modified 3/30/2012]
POLITIFACT: Jobs numbers look bad for Gov. Rick Scott, jobs promise “Stalled.” “But the news isn’t so great for Gov. Rick Scott, who made creating 700,000 jobs in seven years his top campaign promise. Even though the state’s unemployment rate is down, actual job numbers are down, too — 38,600 jobs lost in January… PolitiFact Florida continues to rate his promise Stalled.”[Politifact, 3/14/2012]
Gov. Scott turned away money for high-speed rail which could have created 20,000 jobs.“Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday rejected the federal government’s offer of $2.4 billion to build the line — prompting cheers from his tea party base, and harsh criticism from leading Florida Republicans and Democrats…Backers of the project estimated the line ultimately would have created more than 20,000 jobs in Florida [Times/Herald 2/17/11]
The Governor campaigned on his 7-7-7 jobs plan but has abandoned his pledge since taking office, telling reporters: “I Could Argue That I Don’t Have To Create Any Jobs.”“Recently, Scott told a radio station in Central Florida, ‘I could argue that I don’t have to create any jobs. I just have to make sure we don’t lose any jobs.’” [Column, Sun-Sentinel, 11/13/11]
Less Than A Year Into His Term, One of Scott’s Own Companies He Recently Sold His Stake In Announced They Were Moving Out Of Florida. “Well then, how embarrassing for the guv that Solantic, the company in which he had a multimillion-dollar investment until recently, is moving its executive team from Florida to Tennesseee.’” [Column, Sun-Sentinel, 11/13/11]
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