TALLAHASSEE (AP) — State economists are forecasting Florida will gain about a million new jobs over the next seven years even if nothing more is done to stimulate employment growth.

The economists from the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist's office met Monday to update their economic forecast for the state. It will serve as the basis for a general revenue estimate due next month for use in Scott's first budget request to lawmakers early next year. Gov.-elect Rick Scott pledged on the campaign trail to add 700,000 jobs in addition to the expected growth.

While the long-term outlook calls for solid job growth, Florida's unemployment rate is expected to remain high — about 11.8 percent — for the next six months.