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Politics

Florida Unemployment Rate Ticks Up As Scott Takes Swipe at House Enterprise Florida Vote

March 13, 2017 - 10:30am

Florida may have added over 50,000 jobs during the month of January but the unemployment rate ticked up slightly, according to the latest jobs numbers from the state's Department of Economic Opportunity.

Florida added 51,000 jobs during the first month of the year, bringing the unemployment rate to 5 percent, an increase from December's rate of 4.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for January was 4.8 percent. 

Gov. Rick Scott made an appearance in Bonita Springs to make the announcement. 

"In the last six years, our state has added more than 1.34 million new jobs with help from our economic development organizations like Enterprise Florida that fight for new investment all across our state," said Scott.  

The Sunshine State saw the biggest gains in the professional and business services industry, followed by education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities and the leisure and hospitality industry.  

The Orlando-Kissimmee area had the highest jobs gains while the Tampa Bay Area had the second-highest gains in January. 

Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate (3.5 percent), followed by St. Johns County (4.3 percent) and Wakulla County (4.5 percent). 

Hendry County had the highest unemployment rate (8.1 percent) in Florida in January 2017, followed by Sumter County (7.6 percent) and Citrus County, which had an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.

State officials said the report was a positive sign that Florida continues to head in the right direction for jobs and opportunity. 

"After a very strong year of job creation in 2016, Florida businesses are doubling down on their investment in new jobs," said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity executive director Cissy Proctor. "In January, more than 50,000 new jobs empowered Florida families to achieve financial security."

Scott touted Monday's numbers as further evidence of a booming economy in Florida, promoted in part by economic incentives from public-private agencies like Enterprise Florida. Scott has been riding high on a decreasing unemployment rate and a growing workforce since taking office in 2010. 

"Politicians in the Florida House last week voted to kill our jobs program," said Scott, recalling the House's 87-28 vote to kill Enterprise Florida on Friday. 

The honeymoon period could be over quickly, though, if the Florida House of Representatives gets its way. State lawmakers are currently proposing to eliminate EFI as one of the top priorities during the 2017 legislative session, which has caused a ripple of panic from the governor's office. 

Scott has harshly criticized members for railing against his signature program and for supporting legislation he believes will "harm" Florida businesses and families. 

Last Friday, the House took a shot to Scott's heart when it voted to send EFI to its grave. 

Proctor, hinting at Enterprise Florida, said now wasn't the time to let up on Florida's economic progress. 

"Florida must build on the momentum of the last six years by continuing to support economic diversification and job creation opportunities for all Floridians," she said. 

Scott agreed, vowing to press forward to keep and create jobs in the Sunshine State. 

"We will continue to fight for jobs and ensure Florida remains competitive for major jobs wins that provide opportunities for Florida families," the governor said. 

 

Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.

Comments

EP still in place, yet jobs still ticked down? Show the return on investment or show them the door...

The governor has every right to by annoyed.

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