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Column: 1 million new jobs shows Gov. Rick Scott's efforts work

 
Published Dec. 23, 2015

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott announced that in just under five years, Florida's private sector created more than 1 million jobs. We propelled past that mark after two months of strong economic news — nearly 70,000 private sector jobs added, a seven-year low in unemployment at 5 percent, annual wage growth at 3.5 percent and high consumer confidence. In November, we set the all-time record for job openings with nearly 300,000 across the state. So we're not done adding jobs, which is great news for those looking for work.

One million jobs. Take a moment to reflect on what that means on the ground. One million people across this state — who five years ago were out of work and worried — are now pursuing the American dream again. One million people are providing for their families again. One million people who had lost hope are now optimistic about the future.

One million jobs. Take a moment to reflect on how this growth can transform our economy and the future of our state. As the governor has said many times, tourism is important, but we have to diversify if we want to have a resilient economy. That's starting to happen. The largest contributing industry to the million-job mark was not tourism. It was professional and business services, with 211,000 jobs added over five years. The need to diversify is why the governor is focusing on policies and budget priorities that attract high-wage, high-skill businesses to Florida and boost industries like manufacturing.

One million jobs. Take a moment to reflect on how the Tampa Bay area has been a driver of that growth. Over the last four years, Tampa Bay has gained 144,000 private sector jobs. Over the last year, the region has added more jobs than any area in the state, with significant gains in professional and business services, education and health services, and financial activities. Right now, Tampa Bay has more job openings — more opportunity — than any area in the state.

One million jobs. Take a moment to reflect on how we got here. It didn't happen by chance. It happened because we have a governor who is laser-focused on economic growth. It happened because we pursued the economic policies that help families get good jobs: low taxes, a sensible regulatory climate, and investments in education and infrastructure. If we want a million more jobs, if we want to continue to lead the nation in job growth, if we want to be the nation's best business destination, then we need to keep doing what has already worked. That's why Scott's call for a $1 billion tax cut is so important. We need to put the money back where it belongs: in the hands of families and businesses who reinvest it in our economy.

As I end my tenure at the Department of Economic Opportunity, I've been reflecting on five years of working for Gov. Scott. He pledged to turn our economy around by implementing sound policy. I have had the privilege of seeing up close how hard he works, each and every day, to put this state on the right footing. And the record is now undeniable. What we are doing is working. As a Floridian, I look forward to watching even more jobs added across our state.

Jesse Panuccio is the outgoing executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity. He wrote this exclusively for the Tampa Bay Times.