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Fla. Would Benefit From Free-Trade Pacts, Scott Says

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4)-Gov. Rick Scott said Florida would benefit more than any other state from proposed free-trade agreements with Panama and Columbia.

The Republican governor said Friday in his weekly radio address that Florida stands to gain 6,400 jobs and $523 million in additional exports.

Scott led a Florida trade mission to Panama in March.

Approval of trade pacts with Panama, Columbia and South Korea have been stalled in Congress because of concerns over U.S. job losses.

A dozen Senate Republicans on Friday said they have cleared the way for passage of legislation aiding workers displaced by foreign competition to win approval of the trade deals.

Their support, though, may be too late to pass the agreements before Congress leaves of its summer recess on Aug. 6.

(© 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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