Florida Gets $800 Million for High-Speed Rail

Florida is getting another $800 million in stimulus money to build a high-speed rail from Orlando to Tampa.

The project is estimated to cost $2.6 billion, and the additional $800 million will bring Florida only $300 million away from this estimate.

It is believed that the high-speed railway will help Florida's economy by providing construction and operational jobs, as well as increasing tourism and travel throughout the Central Florida region.

Plans are also in the works of extending the high-speed railway to connect Orlando and Miami.

Florida's Unemployment Reaches 17-Year High

Florida's unemployment jumped a whole percentage point from 7.6% in December 2008 to 8.6% in January 2009. This increase marks a 17-year high for Florida's unemployment.

The total number of unemployed in the state is estimated at 800,000, with over 300,000 job losses this January alone. Some project the effects of the recession to linger in Florida until mid 2011 and estimate unemployment to rise to over 10% in the state. 

However, the $13 billion stimulus package is projected to create 200,000 Florida jobs and has extended eligibility for unemployment benefits for up to 59 weeks.