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Tuesday's letters: Florida's strong recovery in jobs

 
Published June 22, 2015

Harsh reality behind brags | June 14, Robert Trigaux column

Florida's strong recovery in jobs

According to recently released data, Florida's gross domestic product grew for the third year in a row — by 2.7 percent in 2014, a growth rate higher than the nation's and third-highest among the 10 most populous states. In a seeming effort to turn lemonade back into lemons, Robert Trigaux responded to the GDP news by noting that GDP per capita in Florida has not grown as quickly as in some states. He concludes that "we're not keeping up with the economic big boys."

But no single statistic tells the story of an economy, and according to several standard macroeconomic indicators, Florida's economy has seen one of the best recoveries in the nation, with unemployment down to 5.7 percent, 879,000 private-sector jobs added, a job growth rate that eclipses the national rate, and job demand at record levels.

Yet even taking Trigaux on his own terms, what does per capita GDP mean to the average family? Families don't actually have GDP in their wallets. If forced to pick one measure of economic health, most Floridians wouldn't focus on their theoretical share of GDP. They'd focus on jobs — do they have one and can they get one? In Florida, the answer is yes. The jobs are back and we're adding them at steady clip.

Compare this to the jobs picture in California — one of Trigaux's "economic big boys." Florida has a better job growth rate and lower unemployment (which exceeds a whopping 20 percent in some California counties).

Floridians also benefit from a much better tax environment and a fiscally responsible state government. Contrast that with California, where the already crushing tax burden will only increase as the state copes with hundreds of billions in existing liabilities for pensions, infrastructure and health care. In California, a lot of that per capita GDP goes into the government's pocket. In Florida, it stays with those who create it.

Jesse Panuccio, executive director, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Tallahassee

Vatican knocks GOP on warming | June 19

Take their own advice

Rick Santorum and Jeb Bush, candidates for the Republican nomination for president, have basically stated that Pope Francis should leave the global warming issue to the scientists. They should take their own advice and also leave it to the scientists instead of denying that global warming exists.

Gary Cecil, Tampa

Charleston shootings

A pathway to healing

If we as Americans are ever to come to grips with our centuries-long oppression of African-Americans, we must admit — at the highest levels of government and society — our participation in the sins of racism and commit to the long journey toward reconciliation. The first step is admission. The hard work then begins.

There is a precedent for this healing action. Fifty years ago this October, the Roman Catholic Church accepted its long history of hatred and discrimination of Jews and decided to do something about it. The Second Vatican Council published "Nostra Aetate" ("In Our Time") and the long road to reconciliation began. The 50 years since have been characterized by stunning and historic improvements in Catholic-Jewish relations. Much work needs to be done, but a light has been shined on the road ahead.

James M. Barrens, St. Petersburg

Remove hateful symbol

It is time for the Confederate flag in Columbia, S.C., to come down. The grounds at the state Capitol are no place for a flag representing rebellion and oppression. The flag should be moved to a museum. The state of South Carolina needs to finally come to terms with losing a war over 150 years ago.

African-Americans in South Carolina have strong feelings about this flag, and Southern pride is not one of them. I am a retired white American, sick of ridiculous excuses of why it still should be flown. After losing nine African-American citizens to a racist attack in a church, the state needs to act.

John K. Orr, St. Petersburg

Don't take panther off endangered list June 14, editorial

Preserving the panthers

The state of Florida has been a leader in panther conservation from the beginning — providing legal protection in 1958, some nine years before panthers were listed as endangered by the federal government. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its predecessor agency have shouldered a major portion of the responsibility for on-the-ground panther conservation efforts for nearly 30 years.

The panther population, once estimated to be as low as 30, has rebounded. Floridians can be proud of this conservation success story. Ironically, our achievement at bringing panthers back from the edge of extinction has led to new challenges. More panthers in Florida mean more panther-related conflicts. While deer are their primary prey, panthers occasionally kill pets, backyard livestock and calves from ranching operations.

Recent media reports have suggested that the FWC has asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove panthers from the endangered species list. That is not the case. We do believe that elements of the federal panther recovery plan (in place since 2008) need to be re-examined in light of current and emerging science.

Because panthers have huge home ranges, there are only so many that will fit into South Florida.

We and our partners need to shift the focus of management efforts from pushing for more panthers in South Florida to ensuring we have a sustainable and balanced population that can coexist with people in Florida.

FWC's commitment to panther recovery and conservation will not waver. We believe the Florida panther has a bright future.

Nick Wiley, executive director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee