Tax breaks, incentives for companies in Florida haven't produced promised jobs Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/10/25/128212/tax-breaks-incentives-for-companies.html#ixzz1bq8xrlX4

Not surprising, since Georgia is also friendly to business, and has had a higher unemployment rate than the U.S. average, every month for more than 4 years.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/10/25/128212/tax-breaks-incentives-for-companies.html

Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011

By Michael C. Bender | The Miami Herald

TALLAHASSEE — Florida has given tax breaks and other cash incentives to some of the world’s biggest companies in return for creating jobs.

But even Wal-Mart, Publix, Kraft Foods and other corporate giants have had trouble meeting job goals.

New data shows Florida has signed contracts worth $1.7 billion since 1995 in return for promises of 225,000 new jobs. But only about one-third of those jobs have been filled while the state has paid out 43 percent of the contracts.

That averages out to $10,237 per job.

[...]

Information on the performance of Florida’s incentive programs comes as Gov. Rick Scott prepares his budget request for new tax incentives next year. At least $125 million will be available in a fund lawmakers created for incentives.

State data shows at least 327 incentive contracts came up short, producing nearly 35,000 fewer jobs than promised. That includes 33 companies that cut jobs instead of adding work.

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