Florida Unemployment Rate Down Before Election Day
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - Even with a slight drop, Florida's new unemployment rate is still higher than the national average.
Florida's unemployment rate dropped from 6.3 percent in August to 6.1 in September.
While the state's average has remained relatively the same throughout the year, it has also consistently stayed above the national average which is currently 5.9 percent.
These new numbers are the last round of unemployment statistics to be released before Election Day.
The unemployment rate is important for Gov. Rick Scott because he campaigned in 2010 on a pledge to add 700,000 jobs above the 1 million jobs that would occur with normal growth.
Scott released a statement shortly after the new unemployment rate was released.
"Today's announcement that Florida businesses have created nearly 13,000 private-sector jobs is great news for Florida families. Together since December 2010, Florida job creators have created 651,300 private-sector jobs. Florida's unemployment rate has also dropped from 6.3 to 6.1 percent, the lowest it has been since June 2008. Our policies are working in Florida, and more-and-more Floridians are able to get a job and support their family, and we will keep working until every Floridian who wants a job can get one."
His campaign also announced the Miami metro area gained the second-highest number of jobs in September 2014 among all metro areas in Florida compared to a year ago with 35,400 new jobs.
"Today's news that the Miami metro area added 35,400 new jobs over the year in September is great news for area families," Scott said. "Let's keep working on building an opportunity economy here in South Florida where businesses can thrive and grow."
Scott has maintained that his push for tax cuts and cuts in government spending have helped the economy.
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