The latest unemployment statistics have just been released.  Nationwide there were 531,000 new claims filed last month, an increase of 11,000.  The Labor Department tells us that we now have 5,923,000 Americans out of work.  Florida's unemployment rate is now 11%, up two-tenths of a percent since the preceding month. 

Unfortunately, Florida led the nation with the most new claims, a statistic that is disturbing and indicates that we have much work to do to get the economy back on track.  We need to work to attract new businesses to our state and to find ways to help small businesses in Florida expand their business and add new employees.

No economic recovery can be successful when so many Americans continue to hurt financially.  Even the slight decrease in ongoing claims is troubling in that it may signal that more filers are falling off the continuing claim roll and into extended benefits.  The Labor Department reports that the number of people collecting extended payments climbed to 3.86 million in the week ended October 3, from 3.83 million the week before. 

Long term unemployment is especially devastating for many families trying to stave off financial disaster.  We need to continue to find innovative ways to help the people of Florida.  We need to do more to increase access to credit for small businesses  and give them tax incentives to grow their business.