JAXPORT: How do we Rank?

[JaxBorn1962]

Was your Boy george w bush any smarter?

You could at least trust him to grow the economy. So far, we have 787 billion in spending and nothing to show for it, but we do have 11% unemployment in FLORIDA and GROWING.

Sort of like the old Clinton adage, you can trust him with your job, just not your daughter.

Ok lets see the Banks were failing while george and DICK were in office so the First bail out came from these dudes RIGHT? And growing the economy as you put it By making the Rich, Richer so some Penny's could be picked up by us pee-ons? Hey did your 401k tank mine did thanks to the george and DICK show! Did all of that 787 billion go to Florida? Rome wasn't built in a day we gave your boy time give my Man the same and lets see after his first term.

[mtraininjax]

Ok lets see the Banks were failing while george and DICK were in office so the First bail out came from these dudes RIGHT? And growing the economy as you put it By making the Rich, Richer so some Penny's could be picked up by us pee-ons? Hey did your 401k tank mine did thanks to the george and DICK show! Did all of that 787 billion go to Florida? Rome wasn't built in a day we gave your boy time give my Man the same and lets see after his first term.

You can blame everyone or no one, but in reality, does it really matter to the 1.1 million floridians without a job right now? Do you think they care what GW or DICK or Dick with ears did or is doing right now? They could care less.

Sounds to me like Oblah and Joe are using the Trickle-down version of job growth. So far, only 21,000 new jobs created with the new stimulus plan, you want to tell the 1.1 million in Florida that "Rome was not built in a day", you might be able to as they hold you up at gunpoint as they try and feed their families.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- So just how many stimulus jobs have been created or saved so far?

The figure remains elusive, but Congress provided one of the first peeks this week by reporting that stimulus has funded 21,000 highway and transit jobs as of May 31.

The number, one of the first counts of actual stimulus-based employment, is based on state reports to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Thousands of indirect jobs -- such as the deli employee who prepares lunch for the construction crew or the workers who produce the steel needed for projects -- were also created or sustained.

The White House says the figure is in line with its projection that the $787 billion recovery act has created or saved 150,000 jobs in the administration's first 100 days. The 150,000 number, which includes direct and indirect positions, is an estimate based on the amount of stimulus funds spent. Each $92,000 of stimulus funds spent translates into one job, according to the White House formula.

Congressional Republicans, who have blasted the recovery act as wasteful spending that won't create nearly the number of jobs promised, took issue with the figure.

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., criticized the Obama administration for not reporting a specific number of jobs created or saved by stimulus-based infrastructure spending.

Mica, the ranking Republican on the transportation committee, pointed out that only 21,000 positions have been produced, though the committee's Democrats have said that the $64.1 billion in infrastructure spending would create or sustain more than 1.8 million jobs.

"This is pitiful that we can't get people working, we can't get the stimulus money out," Mica said. "People want jobs and they want them now."

In his weekly address, House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, also slammed the administration for failing to stem the rising unemployment tide. The unemployment rate rose to 9.4%, its highest level in 26 years. It's expected to climb to 9.6% when the June numbers are released next Thursday.

[riverkeepered]

It is amazing how dollar $ign$ can cloud our judgement.   It is obvious that the Port expansion can potentially have a major impact on our economy.  However, we must also be willing to evaluate ALL of the tradeoffs and to analyze future economic trends and the net benefits to our community. 

For one, the massive dredging of the river could potentially cause significant harm to the health of the river.  We must wait until the Army Corps Environmental Impact Statement is complete to better evaluate this legitimate concern.  Don't underestimate the significant economic benefits of a clean and healthy river.  Also, don't forget that the lastest "rough estimate" of the dredging is $600 million and not much has even been mentioned about the ongoing maintenance expenses that would be required to maintain the necessary depth. Remember, that we don't have a naturally deep port, but are trying to create one.  There are major potential consequences that must be carefully considered.

Cargo ships burn a very dirty fuel that creates a lot of pollution.  The Guardian recently reported on a study that suggests that "just 15 of the world's biggest ships may now emit as much pollution as all the world's 760 million cars" and particulate matter from ship engines causes the premature death of about 60,000 people a year and $330 billion in related healthcare costs. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/09/shipping-pollution  Add in the diesel exhaust from the thousands of trucks that will be coming and going each day, and it adds up to a significant increase in air pollution. 

Fuel prices are also almost certain to increase in time as we reach peak oil, and foreign labor wages in some Asian countries like China are significantly increasing.  As a result, the advantage of producing products cheaply overseas may be eroding, making domestic production more attractive over time.  For example, IKEA recently decided to build a production facility in VA to supply the American market because of rising shipping costs.  The Asian pipeline of cheap products may be drying up and domestic manufacturing could experience a resurgence in the coming years.   

Finally, many of the economic assumptions and projections that were made when the Mitsui and Hanjin deals were signed are no longer valid.  As a result, the economic benefits to our local economy that are often cited may not be realistic. 

Before we go ahead and accept the Port expansion as our economic salvation, we must honestly evaluate all of the tradeoffs and assess the pros and cons to our community,environment, and economy. 

[JeffreyS]

^I am a very big believer in port expansion but you certainly make some excellent points. We really have to reevaluate any economic studies made prior to this recession. Hopefully we can get this done responsibly and profitably.

[mtraininjax]

River - Orlando and the HAVES in South Florida will soon be sucking the southend of the river dry. Where is the uproar over that venture? Where is the uproar over the fact that the St. Johns over time will become a saltwater river due to the constant drainage by the folks in Central and Southern Florida?

Ifs and Buts are hard sells to folks in Jax who have no job right now. I'd be careful waving the environmental flag to people who are losing their house, their life, their families, all to save the possibility, the possibility of potential problems. When was the last catastrophic oil spill in the St. Johns by a vessel? Convert the diesel trucks to CNG, the daily cost of labor in 3rd world countries, where manufacturing will move if Chinese labor costs increase, will remain low. 5% of the US clothing is made in the US, that will not change soon.


Jobs are more important right now, good argument, but with the river going dry, and people in more need of a job, I am in favor of continuing the growth of the port and other businesses that will benefit from the support. Don't forget the velocity of money from the port activities and all those businesses that thrive, all the way down to the small businesses.

[buckethead]

HARD TO PORT!

[diverdan363]

I have to agree with the river keeper on this one especially after the port doctored reports Martin associates is not a true account of project projections.