From FL Gov Jeb Bush: A Special Labor Day Message

www.jeb.org ^ | Sept. 2, 2002 | Jeb Bush

[summer]

Governor Bush visits with family at local Orlando restaurant.

A Special Labor Day Message

by FL Gov. Jeb Bush

This Labor Day, we salute the indomitable spirit of the American worker, and are also reminded that this is a time of challenge for our country and state. But as our fellow Americans have in the past, we are rising to the challenge. Florida's working men and women are leading the way to a stronger economy.

Strengthening and diversifying Florida's economy has been a priority of our administration. Over the last three-and-a-half years, we have worked hard to successfully ensure that Florida's economy is the envy of the nation. While other states continue to suffer budget deficits following last year's attack on our nation, Florida's economy rebounded quickly, enabling us to fund our state's priorities while allowing Floridians to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Positive signs of Florida's continued economic growth include:

450,000 new jobs since 1999.

Florida ranks 5th in the country in the creation of high-tech jobs.

Florida continues to create more jobs than any other state, and was one of only 16 states to show job growth from July 2001 to June 2002.

California, with an economy nearly three times the size of Florida's, gained fewer jobs, and Texas, New York and Illinois each experienced job losses.

Also this year, Enterprise Florida directly assisted in creating 26,171 jobs, exceeding its job creation goals for rural and urban core areas and critical industries (biomedical and information technology, and aviation/aerospace). 75% of these jobs were created using state incentives, and pay an average of $40,000 a year.

The Travel Industry Association of America recently awarded VISIT FLORIDA (our state's official tourism marketing organization) a top national award for our marketing campaign following the terror attacks of September 11. The campaign matched $20 million in state funds with an additional $25 million investment from the tourism industry and innovative tourism promotions with state agencies, yielding a total advertising campaign of $76 million, the largest in the state's history. As a direct result, during April, May, and June of this year, an estimated 19.4 million visitors came to Florida, down only two percent from the same time last year - a huge improvement from the nineteen percent decline in Florida tourism immediately following 9/11.

Florida's unemployment rate is 5.1%, below the national average of 5.9%.

Prior to 1999, Florida had a higher poverty rate than the nation as a whole, but in 2000, Florida moved below the national average for poverty (10.6% compared to national rate of 11.3%), a positive sign for Florida's economy.

Plants, Sites & Parks magazine ranks Florida #1 in new business development and lists four Florida projects in the top 25 employment-generating projects.

The Small Business Survival Index 2002 ranked Florida the 5th most entrepreneur-friendly state in America.

A rebounding economy and greater opportunity are encouraging, but we must continue to improve our education system so Florida's children can become some of the most talented workers of the future, and also to create an environment where businesses can thrive, creating more high-paying jobs for our growing population.

Over the last four years, we have increased funding for education by $3 billion, a 27% increase, larger than my predecessor's first or second terms.

This year, we provided $30 million to create Centers of Excellence at Florida universities to foster cutting-edge technology research.

As a direct result of our trip to Israel in 1999 to encourage trade and business development between Florida and Israeli businesses, Zicon, a major Israeli subcontractor of printed circuit board assemblies and electronics equipment, announced in August that it will locate its U.S. headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, creating 250 jobs. Company officials selected Florida because of the low cost of doing business, excellent infrastructure, and talented workforce. Florida beat out three other states: California, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

Last week, I announced $764,000 in statewide Community Defense Grants to help us continue to preserve and protect Florida's military at home while they fight for our freedom abroad. Florida's economy relies heavily on military bases which contribute more than $20 billion annually to our state. These grants will better position Florida to protect our valuable military facilities from closure or downsizing.

We also recently provided $4 million in Defense Infrastructure Grants to 12 projects across the state, which will benefit Florida's military facilities and their surrounding communities through funding important dual-use infrastructure projects.

Continuing our efforts to address Florida's shortage of nurses, I also recently announced a plan to recruit and retain nurses. The plan, a partnership between the State of Florida and Fannie Mae, will allow participants to apply for affordable home and education loans.

I am committed to working to further strengthen and diversify our economy, and increasing opportunities for all Floridians.

Lt. Governor Brogan and I hope that you enjoy a peaceful and joyful Labor Day.

[summer]

Florida continues to create more jobs than any other state...

For more info about the above great news for FL, you may want to read my latest editorial if you missed it:
The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 19

PS Also check out this new photo below! :)


Governor Bush and Dan Marino get ready for the coin toss
at FIU`s first football game in Miami

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

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FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI.

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:)

[PJ-Comix]

I'll be at FIU tomorrow. (Psst! 3 to 1 female to male ratio!!!)

[summer]

I thought of you when I wrote my recent editorial, linked in my post #1. :)

[summer]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Torie]

Just find the poll for me dear. And then we will talk. Cheers.

[summer]

(Psst! 3 to 1 female to male ratio!!!)

PJ, You always have the most important facts at hand... :)

PS BTW, I agree with what you said about the Sun Sentinel on that thread and their treatment of Jones and his experience,; I just got too busy on the thread.

[summer]

You are the one who mentioned a poll, dear. Surely you can find it all by yourself. I am not a poll finder. Sorry. I am poisting some facts I thought might be of interest to you. If not, never mind. Cheers to you.

[summer]

poisting = posting

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

A good message from our great governor. Have you heard anything about that odd poll Torie mentioned?

By the way, there seems to be some overlap on your ping lists you used on posts #3 and #6, since I am on both of them.

[PhilDragoo]

California, with an economy nearly three times the size of Florida's, gained fewer jobs

QED defeat Doofus, repeat Jeb Bush.

[Torie]

Well you live there and I don't, so it might be a bit more accessible to you. But if the rumor is true, and it hits the net, I will post it. Thanks.

[summer]

I meant: I got too busy to post on that thread! :)

[summer]

Yes, by all means - if you find it, post it. The internet is just as accessible to you as it is to me. It doesn't matter where one lives.