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As expected, last week the Federal Reserve confirmed its plans to raise interest rates and shrink the money supply as soon as early March. Economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind explains how soon the rates will rise, and how that will affect Central Florida.
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Florida’s job growth seemed to fall off a cliff in December – just under 12,000 jobs were created, compared to 50,000 in November. Economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind tells us what’s behind the slowing growth, how worried we should be about it, and what’s coming next.
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Economic growth has rebounded strongly, but the recovery remains incomplete. Across the country, employment is still two percent below pre-pandemic levels. Florida has done better recouping at the state level, recovering 99% of the jobs lost. But economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says the recovery is still incomplete in Florida, as well…and especially here in Central Florida because of our tourism-centric economy.
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US job growth slowed in December, but the unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent at the same time. This may sound confusing, but economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says there are several reasons that unemployment is still dropping even as job growth slows. It all starts with the high demand for labor.
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Economic news has been on a rollercoaster ride recently. Inflation, interest rates, unemployment, and President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better bill all saw major changes this week, and they’ll all affect Central Florida’s finances. Economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind explains how.Economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind updates WMFE’s Nicole Darden Creston, starting with Sunday’s surprise announcement that Build Back Better has been derailed by a single vote.
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Governor Ron DeSantis recently unveiled his $99.7 billion proposed state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st 2022. In his budget message, DeSantis says his proposal “puts Floridians and their freedoms first, keeps taxes low, and addresses key priorities – all while maintaining record budget reserves.” Economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind explores whether the governor’s proposal lives up to its description.
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The rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and November’s unexpectedly weak employment report are combining to cause concern among economists. There’s a fear the economic recovery may stall. But economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says the news is not quite as worrisome as it may seem.
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Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing a tax cut of around $1 billion to Florida’s gas tax. DeSantis says the move would save the average Sunshine State family $200. But economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says, in his opinion, this is not good economics.
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Inflation surged to a 31-year high over the last two months. Most of the forces driving inflation are global and national in scope. But economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind tells WMFE’s Nicole Darden Creston that one important component driving up prices – housing – is also affected by local policies and decisions made here in Central Florida.
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Economics is often referred to as the dismal science, and since the start of the pandemic it’s been more dismal than usual.But economic analyst Hank…