Where is the Focus on Central Florida Jobs?

by Jason H. Kendall, US House District 7 Candidate

Over the past seven months the Kendall for Congress “Shoe Leather and Social Media” campaign has been a wonderful opportunity for me to listen to the concerns of many of my neighbors as I walk across the 7th Congressional District. Without exception, jobs are the number one cause of concern with the voters. A recent Florida International University study showed that Florida ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to long-term unemployment, with more than half of the 816,000 jobless in Florida looking for work for six months or more – a national record. According to Amy Baker of the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Florida’s dropping unemployment rate is due to a mix of decreased job creation with a shrinking workforce, those Americans who give up the struggle to find a job. What America needs now is a “New Industrial Revolution” focused on high-tech development in order to grow our manufacturing sector.

Congressman Mica, along with the rest of Congress, thought the best way to solve our nation’s unemployment problem was to give up, come home and campaign for reelection or seven weeks. Congress even failed to pass a Farm Bill or tax plan and thus, increased the risk that Sequestration will become reality on January 3rd, 2013. However, they did vigorously debate and pass the Mark Twain Coin Act before starting their vacation.

My goal is to bring high paying jobs and opportunity to the thousands of our fellow Floridians who are now unemployed. First, we must focus on high-tech development and bring greater investment into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs at our higher education institutions. This will, in turn, spur new high paying jobs and corporate clusters. We must work together with local companies, our colleges and the Defense Department to greatly expand our growing simulation technology industry for both civilian and military use. Simulation technology keeps our troop’s skills sharp and costs much less than “live-fire” training. As former President Clinton pointed out, civilian companies in District 7 reap the benefits of these investments as it results in high paying jobs. Unfortunately, John Mica voted for the Budget Control Act and Sequestration that will greatly harm our national security, weaken our military and greatly reduced college student aid.

There is also potential to expand manufacturing in Central Florida. Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee have announced the opening or expansion of automotive manufacturing facilities over the last decade. Because of our central location, resources and human capital, the opportunity exists for Central Florida to develop the capability to convert our aging, heavy-duty diesel trucking fleet into new Natural Gas operated trucks. I want to see our STEM graduates design, engineer and build the next generation of natural gas engines right here in the 7th Congressional District. One would think that John Mica, the man who said that he would vote to drill in the Everglades and voted against restricting drilling off of Florida’s coast, and whose brother, David Mica is the Executive Director/Lobbyist for the Florida Petroleum Council, would extend their influence into developing manufacturing opportunities like natural gas-powered engines, or maybe oil and gas doesn’t mix.

We must not accept another moment with this Do Nothing Congress. America is too great of a society to have such sub par leaders. We need solutions to our problems and we need them now. No more excuses and no more delays – we will have a better tomorrow and it starts on November 6^th. May God Bless America.

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Jason H. Kendall is a second generation Floridian, the only native of Florida on the ballot for CD#7.