The state leads the nation in job growth, but there is a dark side to those employment gains. A review of labor statistics by The Associated Press found that two-fifths of the private-sector jobs gained during the past year came in sectors where the average annual pay was under $24,297. The state's average pay is $32,397.
So that growth is coming in largely low-paying positions, many in the tourism industry. . . . Still, the state is not going to become an economic powerhouse relying on service jobs. It must attract and retain enterprises that offer high-paying positions.
Florida won't do this by selling itself on the cheap, as it has for far too long. Top-flight companies are more concerned about an innovative and productive work force than low labor costs.
So the surest way to brighten the state's economic outlook is to bolster its education system. Unfortunately, lawmakers more interested in their political careers than in Florida's future welfare are shortchanging education, especially higher education.
Because of budget cuts, community colleges now can no longer accept every student seeking a degree. Universities must turn away qualified students and have cut academic programs.
This year state universities had to take in more than 16,000 unfunded students. Lawmakers not only failed to pay for growth, but also cut university funding by $40 million. The state scholarship program is endangered, and Gov. Bush has even sought to demolish the state library system.
Business leaders have reason to question whether a state so indifferent to education is really serious about economic development. . . . Florida is the fourth-largest state in the nation, yet it ranks 42nd in the production of baccalaureate degrees and 32nd in graduate degrees - downright shameful numbers. . . . State lawmakers should look beyond the next election cycle to what is best for the people of Florida.
"JEB!' DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION -The Legislature needs to address the lack of university funding for new students at the next special session.
It's an odd - and embarrassing - situation in Tallahassee. While Gov. Bush seeks to draw a high-tech research institute to Florida with a huge financial package, universities are asking for money (a more modest amount) to provide the education those employees of tomorrow will need. "Help for higher education".
SCRIPPS PROPOSAL SCRUTINIZED - The Florida Senate revved up its own research engine this week and fired more than 100 questions to Gov. Jeb Bush and the leaders of Scripps Research Institute, asking for details about the $310 million state deal to lure the biomedical research giant to Palm Beach County. See "Florida Senate has questions about big grant for Scripps". See also "Scripps proposal under scrutiny".
Bill Cotterell writes that Jim King "wants assurances that the research giant won't take the money and run home to California with profits from new drugs it develops." See "King: Scripps must not take money and run".
LET IT REST -Governor Jeb Bush, who has been rebuffed by the courts after previous attempts to help Terri Schiavo, has instructed his legal team to look for an 11th hour way to stop the removal of her feeding tube that is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. "Gov. Bush to Seek Legal Options to Intervene for Terri Schiavo".