The landscape of jobs in the United States is changing.  A study by Intuit predicts that by 2020, a whopping 40 percent of American workers will actually be independent contractors.  This shift is part of what is being called the “Gig Economy”, which is generally defined as a work environment that is dominated by independent contract workers and short-term engagements.  For the worker who wants flexibility in their hours, a gig economy job can be quite appealing, but there are potential drawbacks.  Can these same gig economy workers, for example, qualify for a mortgage?  Is their income considered stable and reliable when it comes to being approved or rejected for loans?  And what protections are in place for the gig economy worker?  Is the tradeoff of minimum wage, health benefits, sick days, and paid parental leave for the autonomy and flexibility of being able to work when you decide you want to work actually worth it?  These are some of the questions we will explore when we talk about the pros and the cons of the burgeoning gig economy on “In Focus with Allison Walker Torres.”  Guests:  State Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), State. Rep. Bob Cortes (R-Altamonte Springs), State Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood).