Florida’s jobless rate fell in October to 8.5 percent, its lowest level since December 2008, the state’s unemployment office reported Friday.
Florida still lags behind the nation but closed the gap a bit. The national rate stood last month at 7.9 percent.
If discouraged workers and part time employees seeking full-time jobs are added, Florida’s unemployment rate for October was 16.4 percent down from 18.2 percent a year ago.
“We are creating an environment that fosters job creation, economic development and provides a skilled workforce,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “My number one goal is to create jobs for Florida families and get this state back to work. There is still more work that needs to be done, but I’m confident we’re on the right path.”
Non agricultural employment reached 7,371,500, the 27th straight month that the number of employed residents increased year to year, according to DEO estimates.
Florida’s labor force also grew in October, inching up 0.7 percent from October 2011.
Non-farm employment has grown by 67,600 jobs over the past 12 months, with professional services, health care, transportation and utilities sectors providing most new jobs over the year.
Total government employment fell by 12,900, driven by a decrease in state government work, which fell 2.1 percent. Florida’s construction sector also continued its slump, falling 4,900 jobs from an already anemic October 2011.
Crestview/Fort Walton/Destin had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.7 percent. Tallahassee came in second at 6.2 percent. Counties with a high percentage of government employees continued to enjoy some of the lowest jobless rates in the state, with Walton Okaloosa, Wakulla and Franklin counties in the top five.
Palm Coast in Flagler County continued to experience the most severe joblessness, with 11.3 percent of its labor force out of work. The Treasure Coast cities of Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach posted unemployment rates of 10.2 percent.
Speaking to the Federalist Society in Washington Friday morning, Scott said in prepared remarks that the drop in unemployment combined with increases in the labor pool were testament to the wisdom of austere state spending and other Republican-led efforts.
“Our economic turnaround for Florida families is well underway and we are proof that conservative solutions work,” Scott said. “Keeping the cost of living low for families and growing the economy so anyone who wants a job can find one is not just great policy – it is critical to preserving the American Dream for future generations,” Scott said.
Democrats were quick to question whether all was good news, noting Florida’s rate remains higher than the national average, and has been worse than the nation as a whole since mid-2008.
“Floridians know that growing our economy starts with investing in the middle class, a center point of which is investing in schools to create the next generation of new, good paying jobs,” Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said in a prepared statement. “It is unfortunate that under Rick Scott, Florida’s economy continues to lag behind the rest of the nation.”
by Michael Peltier
I asked Rick Scott office what are ppl who want to work but cant secure employment is to do? Got no reply. UC benefits cut and not enough jobs.