unemployment.jpgTALLAHASSEE (AP) _ Nearly one million Floridians are now out of work.


State economists said Friday 10.7 percent of Florida's eligible work force, or 987,000 people, were jobless in July. That's up one-tenth of a percentage point from June.

Florida's unemployment rate is at its highest in 34 years, and 1.3 percent above the national average of 9.4 percent.

Despite that, things have generally been looking better for the state. Last week, state economists only had to reduce their general revenue collection estimate by $147.1 million, rather than the billions in shortfalls seen over the past two years.

Employment is considered a lagging indicator of economic recovery, and takes longer to rebound than other segments.