Florida’s unemployment rate has fallen slightly to just under 10-percent, the lowest it’s been in more than two-and-a-half years. Lynn Hatter reports the state’s Republican leaders have wasted no time in claiming credit for the job gains.
In a conference call with reporters Friday, Governor Rick Scott announced the state’s unemployment rate is now 9.9-percent, the lowest it’s been since April of 2009. Scott also took credit for the more than 141-thousand private sector jobs that have spung up since January of last year, saying the rate is a reflection of his policies.
“This proves the changes we’re implementing with the help of our friends in the legislature are working. And Florida’s job creators are responding by putting people back to work. These changes include streamlining government, removing barriers to job creation and eliminating burdensome regulation.”
The drop in unemployment comes as Florida’s realtors report an uptick in last year’s home sales, a sign that the state’s economy continues to slowly heal.
