Great News from Florida?
There are links to each topic at the website. Shocking stuff.
Florida is No. 3 is prison population, with more than 100 thousand
Florida is No. 2 in foreclosures
Florida is No. 50 for children's health care
Florida ranks last in access to emergency care
Florida ranks No. 50 in education funding
The Florida health care system ranks No. 50
Florida ranks No. 50 in high-school graduation rates
Florida ranks No. 1 in the number of convicted public officials from 1998-2007
Florida ranks No. 1 in requests for food stamps
Florida ranks No. 1 in mortgage fraud
Florida is No. 2 in foreclosures
Florida is No. 50 for children's health care
Florida ranks last in access to emergency care
Florida ranks No. 50 in education funding
The Florida health care system ranks No. 50
Florida ranks No. 50 in high-school graduation rates
Florida ranks No. 1 in the number of convicted public officials from 1998-2007
Florida ranks No. 1 in requests for food stamps
Florida ranks No. 1 in mortgage fraud
We also find out that South Florida may be experiencing a population decrease. Too soon to know if it is caused by the recession and bad economic times....or if it is a trend for the future.
South Florida exodus appears to be picking up pace
Census data released over the summer found Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports had 14,251 fewer residents, or .8 percent less than the previous year. Palm Beach County lost 379 people, or .03 percent. New statistics analyzed by the South Florida Sun Sentinel suggest the numbers may be higher. Consider:
School enrollment dropped 6 percent in Broward and 1 percent in Palm Beach since 2005.
..."Internal Revenue Service filings show 43,371 fewer people in Broward and 11,028 fewer people in Palm Beach County since 2005.
Experts disagree on whether the new numbers show a real population decline or simply indicate shifts in the demographic mix. They aren't sure whether they're the start of a long-term decline or are just a temporary response to a bad economy. But any loss, or simply an end to growth, would have a big impact on an economy that for decades had counted on a continuing influx of people to sustain the construction industry, housing market and retail sales.
"I've been in discussions with people planning new retail centers, and clearly the lack of population growth is an issue," said Brad Hunter, South Florida director of the research firm Metrostudy. "They're reining in their plans for new centers for now. It's probably 50-50 population growth and the economy."
School enrollment dropped 6 percent in Broward and 1 percent in Palm Beach since 2005.
..."Internal Revenue Service filings show 43,371 fewer people in Broward and 11,028 fewer people in Palm Beach County since 2005.
Experts disagree on whether the new numbers show a real population decline or simply indicate shifts in the demographic mix. They aren't sure whether they're the start of a long-term decline or are just a temporary response to a bad economy. But any loss, or simply an end to growth, would have a big impact on an economy that for decades had counted on a continuing influx of people to sustain the construction industry, housing market and retail sales.
"I've been in discussions with people planning new retail centers, and clearly the lack of population growth is an issue," said Brad Hunter, South Florida director of the research firm Metrostudy. "They're reining in their plans for new centers for now. It's probably 50-50 population growth and the economy."
And even Florida's Southwest coast is feeling the economic downturn.
Southwest Florida enters 3rd recession year
What the nation will experience in the year ahead is nothing as serious as what we have been living with for over two years. To this point, the longest recession since World War II lasted 16 months from its beginning to the bottom of the trough and the start of a recovery.
On Florida's southwest coast, we are entering our third recession year. Retail sales as compared to the prior year peaked in October 2006. November and December sales tax collections are likely to show retail sales off by about 37 percent from our peak activity of two years ago. The severity of our decline suggests we must be approaching the bottom of our trough. The underpinning of our economy has been population growth -- fueled both by retirees, and by those who come to work here supporting that base. I suspect the portion of our population that is retired has grown a bit in the last two years, while a number of working families have moved out of the area for better opportunities. A pent-up demand for cars and durable goods must soon stimulate sales activity.
Icy northern winters and the pressure of baby boomers reaching retirement will soon make itself felt. In our part of paradise, we approach an uncertain new year with wariness, hope and confidence in the long-term future of Florida's southwest coast.
On Florida's southwest coast, we are entering our third recession year. Retail sales as compared to the prior year peaked in October 2006. November and December sales tax collections are likely to show retail sales off by about 37 percent from our peak activity of two years ago. The severity of our decline suggests we must be approaching the bottom of our trough. The underpinning of our economy has been population growth -- fueled both by retirees, and by those who come to work here supporting that base. I suspect the portion of our population that is retired has grown a bit in the last two years, while a number of working families have moved out of the area for better opportunities. A pent-up demand for cars and durable goods must soon stimulate sales activity.
Icy northern winters and the pressure of baby boomers reaching retirement will soon make itself felt. In our part of paradise, we approach an uncertain new year with wariness, hope and confidence in the long-term future of Florida's southwest coast.
Our CFO finally got the attention of the Republican legislature. They are entering sessions to supposedly deal with the problems.
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink suggested Friday that the state's Republican leaders are in denial about the dire economy and they should call a special legislative session now to deal with the impact on the state budget.
Sink, speaking to the Council of 100 in Palm Beach, said a possible $1-billion gap in state funding demands attention now, not later.
"I do not see any way we can afford to wait until March to deal with a potential $1-billion-plus shortfall in this budget year," Sink, the state's only elected Democratic executive, said in an interview later. "That's just an impossible situation."
Either the governor or the two leaders of the Legislature call special sessions, and so far Gov. Charlie Crist and new leaders of the House and Senate, all Republicans, are taking a wait-and-see approach. And Sink's criticism comes as Crist is reaching the midpoint of his term.
Sink, speaking to the Council of 100 in Palm Beach, said a possible $1-billion gap in state funding demands attention now, not later.
"I do not see any way we can afford to wait until March to deal with a potential $1-billion-plus shortfall in this budget year," Sink, the state's only elected Democratic executive, said in an interview later. "That's just an impossible situation."
Either the governor or the two leaders of the Legislature call special sessions, and so far Gov. Charlie Crist and new leaders of the House and Senate, all Republicans, are taking a wait-and-see approach. And Sink's criticism comes as Crist is reaching the midpoint of his term.
CFO Alex Sink also pointed out that ""We can't rely any more on attracting fixed-income retirees from up north and selling them cheap land.....Those days are over."
George Bush Republicans...bad for the nation.
Jeb Bush Republicans....bad for Florida.
Dear Lords, let's not let him be Senator OR President Jeb.
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