Gaining admission to the University of Florida will become even harder as it slashes undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money.

The sweeping cuts announced Monday by UF President Bernie Machen reflect the pressure all 11 of Florida's public universities are under to trim ongoing costs because of declining state revenues.

David Denslow, a UF economics professor, said he thinks Florida schools may have to endure tough times for a few more years and worried about the erosion of quality.

"If you let quality deteriorate over a period of three of fours years, it is hard to build it back," Denslow said.

UF will cut jobs, slash enrollment - Orlando Sentinel - May 6, 2008

Hispanics were the fastest-growing minority group in the country, with a 3.3 percent increase between 2006 and 2007, according to the Census. Asians were the second fastest-growing minority group, with a 2.9 percent population increase during the period.

The growth rate of Florida’s minority groups was slightly different. The Asian community had a 3.64 percent population increase from 2006 to 2007, while Hispanics had a 3.61 percent increase during the same period.

But when it comes to numbers, Florida’s Hispanic population came in first with 3.75 million people, or 20.58 percent of the state’s 18.2 million residents. Florida’s black community came in second with 2.7 million people, or 15.01 percent of the state’s population.

And Florida’s overall population increases aren’t done, said Stefan Rayer with the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

“The growth has slowed down,” Rayer said Wednesday. “Florida is still growing in comparison (to the rest of the country), but this year’s change will seem low compared to recent years.”

Hispanics lead as largest minority group in U.S. - Naples Daily News - May 1, 2008

Florida is not as popular as it used to be among whites who are not Hispanic, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today.

Analysts say the sluggish economy, rise in the cost of living and housing market slowdown are partly behind the falling numbers.

"It's certainly true that the non-Hispanic white population in Florida is declining and will continue to decline," said Stan Smith, director of the Bureau of Economic Business Research at the University of Florida.

But Smith said one has to be cautious about over-emphasizing year-to-year changes.

"There is often volatility from one year to the next. When you look at changes over a long period of time they tend not to be so dramatic," Smith said.

Census: Fewer non-Hispanic whites moving to Florida - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - May 1, 2008

According to survey figures released Tuesday, statewide consumer confidence fell again this month, surpassing a 16-year low recorded in March.

The results of the monthly University of Florida survey was one of several pieces of unpleasant economic news that came out Tuesday. Among the others:

• A national home-price survey showed that the South Florida market was the second-fastest-falling in the nation in February.

• A study found that Florida ranked fourth in the nation for the number of mortgage foreclosures during the first quarter.

''These things are obviously all related,'' said Chris McCarty, director of the Survey Research Center at UF's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, which conducts the monthly confidence survey.

''Falling housing prices, stricter guidelines for all forms of credit and rising gasoline and food prices are hitting consumers all at once,'' he said. ``This has raised the possibility of stagflation, a circumstance where gross domestic product retracts while inflation rises.''

Floridians close wallets as consumer confidence sinks - Miami Herald - April 30, 2008

Read more on this topic:
Consumers continue to see grim prospects - Palm Beach Post - April 29, 2008
Consumer confidence in Florida hits 16-year low - Jacksonville Business Journal - April 29, 2008

Fla. consumer confidence hits 16-year low - Miami Herald - April 29, 2008

Florida Consumer Confidence in April Sinks to New 16-Year Record Low - Trading Markets, Los Angeles, CA - April 29, 2008

Floridians Not Pleased With Economy - WJHG TV, Panama City, FL - April 29, 2008

The IRS will send tax rebates - up to $600 for an individual, $1,200 for a couple and an additional $300 for each dependent child - a week earlier than previously announced, Bush said Friday.

If the 130 million Americans who receive the checks use them for spending sprees, the stimulus plan would give at least a temporary boost to the economy. But after two years of soaring gas prices, falling home values and rising jobless rates, many consumers in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast say they're not in the mood to shop.

The theory behind the economic stimulus is simple: Millions of Americans will get their checks, then go on a mass shopping spree. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the country's economic growth.

"What they'd ideally like everybody to do is to go out to Wal-Mart or Home Depot or Macy's and buy something," said Chris McCarty, director of the University of Florida's consumer confidence survey. "The problem is many people are likely to spend it on servicing existing debt, and that's money that's already been spent."

Taxpayers reluctant to spend rebates - Palm Beach Post - April 25, 2008

While Jacksonville's population is growing, all three Beaches cities are losing residents, the most recent U.S. Census estimates show. Experts blame it on the housing slump and high housing costs.

Growth in Florida is usually tied to net migration, which means more people move into than out of an area. From 2000 to 2006, newcomers made up about 89 percent of Florida's population increase, according to the Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

But the housing sales slump is discouraging migration to Florida, bringing the state's growth rate to levels not seen since the mid-1970s.

"The slowdown is widespread throughout Florida," said Stanley Smith, program director at the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. "It's related primarily to the housing market, as well as the general economic conditions in the country."

Florida saw a similar growth decline in the mid-1970s, when the country experienced an oil crisis and a stagnant economy, Smith said. The University of Florida's 2008 estimate is expected to be released in August. But preliminary data based on building permits and utility customer bills show that net migration numbers will be substantially less than previous years.

"It's looking pretty grim right now," Smith said.

Census: All 3 Beaches cities losing residents - Shorelines.com - April 3, 2008

Gainesville may be on the brink of a senior surge.

Continue to 2nd paragraph Retirees are a growing demographic and are increasingly drawn by the town's culture, climate, costs and health care. And they have the time and spending money to enjoy what the city has to offer.

The city is fast gaining a reputation as a retirement destination, thanks in part to high rankings in different publications at a time when the large baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age and people are living longer and healthier lives.

Alachua County probably will start to pick up some of the "spillover" effect from rapidly growing communities as Florida's population continues to shift northward, according to Stan Smith, director of the UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

The real boomer boom, however, may be on hold until the economy and real estate market turns around.

With a 10-month supply of homes on the market nationwide instead of the usual four months, people are less able to sell and move, according to David Denslow, UF economics professor.

Gainesville virtues draw retirees - Gainesville Sun - April 1, 2008

Gas and grocery costs are giving consumers the shakes.

Continue to 2nd paragraph We shake our heads when filling up gas tanks as the price scrolls way past what used to fill them up.

We shake our heads when a small basket of groceries produces a bill that used to buy a large basketful.

Those are the main culprits taking a bite out of our purchasing power, with ripple effects on the cost of just about everything.

Last year's dollar is now worth 96 cents, with a 4 percent average increase in the cost of all goods and services from February 2007 to February 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the fastest increase since a 5.3 percent growth in costs in 1991.

To find the blame for higher bills, start with oil. Fast-developing nations like China and India are driving demand higher.

David Denslow of UF's bureau of economic research said the oil industry is not developing new petroleum resources and technologies as fast as it was 10 years ago. He also said there's some debate about the role of speculation in oil commodities markets as investors flee stocks and housing.

Incredible shrinking dollar - Gainesville Sun - March 29, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The bursting of Florida’s housing bubble and overall economy has also let the air out of the state’s famed population growth, which has shrunk to its lowest levels in three decades, according to the latest projections from the University of Florida.

“A tremendous slowdown is forecast over the next few years compared to what we’ve experienced during the last five years,” said Stan Smith, director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “The state has not experienced a decline of this magnitude since the mid-‘70s, when we were in a national recession.”

Economy slows Florida population growth to lowest level in 30 years - University of Florida News - March 27, 2008

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Florida population growth is at lowest level in decades - WJGH News Channel 7, Panama City, FL - March 27, 2008

Florida population rate tumbles - St. Petersburg Times - March 27, 2008

Florida's booming growth to slow -TCPalm, West Palm Beach - March 27, 2008

Fla. growth rate expected to slow - Gainesville Sun - March 28, 2008

Florida's population slowing to 30-year low, study shows - Miami Herald - March 29, 2008

Hunting for jobs in Orlando area getting tougher - Orlando Sentinel - March 29, 2008

OCALA - To call Vicky Gonzalez an optimist is one serious understatement.

The general manager of Ocala Volvo and Gainesville Volvo has no use for negative economic news.

"We can control our own destiny," she said. "Things are great in our community."

Gonzalez wants to declare Ocala "recession-proof." But that might not be realistic, said David Denslow, research economist at the University of Florida's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

"I think that would be a stretch to say it's recession-proof," he said. "Ocala won't suffer the recession as severely as the rest of Florida, but it won't escape."

Ocala is buffered from the worst effects of recession by demographics, Denslow said. A significant percentage of retirees helps insulate the economy from layoffs, and provides a steady demand for services.

Despite the reluctance of some economists, Denslow doesn't hesitate to say the nation is in a recession.

"I think we're in one," he said, adding that he expects it to last through the end of the year.

Local business leader stresses optimism - Ocala Star Banner - March 25, 2008