Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

Miami, FL - U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio released the following statement regarding today’s new report showing unemployment in Florida has risen to 11.5 percent, the highest level in 34 years:

“Today’s news that over 1 million Floridians are out of work is especially heartbreaking as we approach the holidays. Behind these numbers are real people with real families who want nothing more than to put a grim 2009 behind them. My heart goes out to them, along with my sincere hope that 2010 brings greater blessings and opportunity.

“With Christmas right around the corner, today’s jobs report is also a sobering reminder of how the failed policies pursued by this President, this Congress and allies like Governor Crist have had painful consequences on real people. During this time of economic uncertainty, Floridians need reassurance that their taxes won’t be raised, government won’t take over health care, cap-and-trade won’t burden them with a national energy tax or that a second stimulus won’t plunge us into further debt.

“It’s been a rough 2009, but the policy decisions being made in Washington today and over the coming years will determine whether America faces a rough future for decades to come. I hope today’s unemployment news serves as a compelling enough reason for Washington to stop inflicting lasting damage on our economy.”

BACKGROUND: FLORIDA UNEMPLOYMENT UNDER CRIST

When Charlie Crist Took Office, Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 3.3 Percent. (”Florida’s January Unemployment 3.3 Percent,” Press Release, Agency For Workforce Innovation, 3/8/07)

When The Stimulus Passed In February, Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 9.4 Percent. (”Florida’s February Employment Figures Released,” Press Release, Agency For Workforce Innovation, 3/27/09)

Florida’s November 2009 Unemployment Rate Is At A 34-Year High Of 11.5 Percent. (”Florida’s November Employment Figures Released,” Press Release, Agency For Workforce Innovation, 12/18/09)

There Are 755,000 More Unemployed Floridians Today Than When Charlie Crist Became Governor.

There Are 182,000 More Unemployed Floridians Today Than When The Crist-Obama Stimulus Passed.