Does Crist Have the Numbers Right?

Is Governor Charlie Crist skewing the numbers on Florida's consumer confidence rating?

Crist says Florida's consumer confidence rating is on its way up and the state is on its way to economic recovery.

"We're having more revenue come into Florida into our treasury by $2.4-billion more. That only happens through sales tax. That means people are out there buying. That means consumer confidence is up and things are going to start turning and we're grateful for that," says Crist.

But, as of February, research from the University of Florida shows the state's consumer confidence rating dropped two points over continued concerns of high unemployment. Recent numbers show Florida's unemployment rate increased and remains over 11%.

"This month Floridians may be coming to terms with the possibility that Florida's economy will not recover at the same pace as other states," Chris McCarty of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research said last month of the dropping consumer confidence rating and rising unemployment level.

Crist acknowledged jobs numbers will be the last indicator to turn around.

Does Crist Have the Numbers Right? - WOKV.com Jacksonville - March 15, 2010