Is Florida falling short of greatness?

Florida loves to call itself a great state – and by many measures, it is.

We’re third in population, fourth in economic output and home to some of the fastest-growing communities in the country.

We boast beaches, sunshine and a $1.7 trillion economy (the 16th largest in the world).

And yet according to a recent Herald-Tribune article, Florida ranks dead last in pay for its state employees – and 51st when Washington, D.C. is included.

Neighboring Alabama and Georgia, with far smaller economies, pay their state workers more (by 13 % and 21 %, respectively). Even Mississippi, last in per-capita income, pays 26 % more than Florida.

The same story plays out in education.

Florida ranks 50th in average teacher pay despite a population that deman

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