Unemployment Rises to 11.7 Percent

The Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) announced on Friday that the unemployment rate rose yet again in Florida. For August the rate stood at 11.7 percent, an increase from July when it stood at 11.5 percent. Out of a pool of 9,229,000 Floridians, 1,084,000 remain without a job. From April and June, the rate dropped down from all-time record highs, but is starting to go up again.

"There are still positive indicators of recovery," said Cynthia Lorenzo, the director of AWI. "This is the second consecutive month with an increase in the number of jobs from the previous year."

The politicians are already starting to weigh in. First up was the Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race -- U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek.

"Today's unemployment news is a sober reminder that too many Floridians are still unable to find work and provide for their families, said Meek, who blamed the economy on Republican policies including the tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. The recession has hit Florida hard and too many families are struggling to get by.