Florida posts June job gains after May decline

Florida’s private sector added 12,000 jobs in June, according to newly released employment data.

The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee released employment numbers this week showing Florida in a course correction for its job growth. The 12,000 new jobs added to the private sector in June stands in contrast to the 3,300 net private payroll jobs the state lost in May.

The state added 11,100 net payroll jobs in June, after losing 4,100 net payroll jobs the previous month, the report shows.

That trend was consistent with most states during June. Payroll jobs rose in 34 states and fell in 17 states. The largest job percent increases were seen in Alaska and New Hampshire with the largest decline happening in West Virginia.

Florida’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.7% but remains above the national average of 4.2%.

On Wednesday, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla, said Florida lost 18,000 private sector jobs. It’s unclear the source he used to report that number. He also addressed the state’s unemployment rate bein...