Florida Governor Wants California Port Jobs

By: Ben Bergman, KPCC

Florida Governor Rick Scott just wrapped up a visit to California. He talked-up the "Sunshine State" and talked down the "Golden State" in hopes of luring port jobs from one coast to the other. 

Scott spoke to executives outside Los Angeles, telling them Florida is better for business. 

"We have a much higher job growth rate than California has," says Scott.

Florida actually had a slightly higher job growth rate than California in the past 12 months -- 3.7 versus 3.2 percent. But last month, California led the nation in job creation, adding more than 67,000 jobs.

Scott also said this about California.

"You have the highest poverty rate in the U.S," Scott says.

That’s true, according to a newer ranking the census uses that takes into account the cost of living. Under the old ranking, California’s poverty rate is only slightly higher than the national average.

So did Scott’s pitch work? He announced a deal with California-based Nestle USA to move some of its shipments from New York and New Jersey’s ports to Jacksonville’s. But he didn’t announce any deals to snag business from California ports.