How much did unemployment compensation increase in Florida?
Gov. Charlie Crist signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week. The increased benefits take effect starting Feb. 22, a release from Crist’s office said. Funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the release said. The $787 billion economic stimulus package includes $12.2 billion for Florida over three years, the release said. Some of the stimulus funding is included in the proposed $66.5-billion state budget for 2009-10 proposed by Crist. The proposed budget will create or retain 314,590 jobs, the release said. Sources: http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/02/16/daily60.
Florida unemployment compensation benefits are increasing by $25 a week due to federal stimulus funding. The higher rate went into effect Sunday under an agreement that Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the U.S. Department of Labor. It’ll bring $345 million in federal money to Florida through the end of the calendar year. Benefits are based on a worker’s prior earnings and last year ranged from $32 to $275 per week. Some of Crist’s fellow Republican governors say they may turn down the unemployment cash because they they’d have to raise state taxes to pay for the new benefit when the federal money runs out. Crist, though, says it’s needed to help Floridians get through tough times. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Sources: http://www.mainstreet.
