Most of the attention this legislative session has been focused on “hot-button” issues which quite frankly many outside of the political realm don’t care about right now (I do but I am a politico). One thing that seems to be happening while legislators are gathered in Tallahassee is that Florida’s economy is showing clear signs of resiliency and even strength. The latest positive indicator is South Florida’s rise twenty-seven places in the National Numbers Economic Index. Last week, new jobless numbers showed Florida’s employment rate rising yet again, while national job growth is stagnant. In recent weeks we’ve received good news about record tourism numbers, about corporate jobs moving to the state and some potential good news that one of Florida’s largest companies will stay put.

While little of this has to do with Governor Scott or the legislature, they are in position to take credit for the positive surge. But the fact remains that Florida could be a shining city on the hill so to speak if creative solutions were applied to growing the economy here. The Republican mantra continues to be “cut taxes and they will come,” but that hasn’t worked and despite 14 years of complete Republican dominance of state government, Florida has failed to attract the types of jobs and businesses that other mega-states have in the same period.

It is a passé thing among progressives to cite Governor Rick Perry of Texas but he has had more success attracting businesses to Texas, fostering a culture of innovation, not offending immigrants who come to the state to work and ensuring Texas’ economy continues to grow than any Florida Republican. Rick Scott has been flat footed in his efforts to emulate Perry’s success though he has not been as inept as his predecessor Republican Charlie Crist in handling economic issues or as dishonest as GOP ‘superhero” Jeb Bush was about the same issues. Yet he has still largely failed by any reasonable objective measure.

However, the positive shift in economic numbers will boost Scott, even if he doesn’t deserve it. Tallahassee insiders obsessed with the daily legislative gossip may not see it this way, but ultimately, jobs the economy and corporate re-locations are what matters to most Floridians in this era of economic strife. When times are good, issues like access to Health Care, women’s reproductive rights and education matter more than economic ones, but as we come out of the great recession Scott is positioned to take undeserving take credit for Florida’s strong rebound.

Do not be surprised if poll numbers reflect a Scott surge by sometime this summer.