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Scott Signs Off On Unemployment Benefit Cut
June 28, 2011
Jobless Floridians will be cut off from unemployment benefits more quickly under a measure signed into law Monday by Gov. Rick Scott.
The bill (HB 7005) immediately scales back the number of weeks for state unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 23 weeks, causing emergency federal benefits to kick in more quickly and essentially shaving three weeks off the total run of benefits.
Under the measure, the number of weeks of unemployment insurance available would gradually decline further once the unemployment rate dips below 10.5 percent, bottoming out at 12 weeks if the unemployment rate hits 5 percent.
The bill also makes it more difficult for Floridians who lose their jobs to qualify for unemployment benefits to begin with.
The current maximum unemployment benefit dollar amount stays the same under the measure, at $275 a week, already near the bottom of states. Federal statistics show the state’s average weekly benefit is just over $230.
Scott’s signature was widely expected; he hailed the House version of the measure when it passed during the spring legislative session.
It was a major priority for the state’s business groups, who feared a continuing increase in taxes as the unemployment rate hovers above 10 percent, and following the fund borrowing $2 billion from the federal government. The trust fund is funded with taxes on employers.
“We think it’s really a step in the right direction to make the system more sustainable long-term,” said Tammy Perdue, general counsel for Associated Industries of Florida, one of the bill’s main backers.
Perdue said the minimum tax rate for businesses has tripled over the last year and could triple again unless the state found a way to rein in the system.
Opponents slammed the changes, saying they come at the worst possible time and could hurt the economy by ending state aid for those most likely to spend it.
“This was a ghoulish attack on the victims of the recession to benefit the big guys at the top that caused it,” said Rich Templin, a lobbyist for AFL-CIO.
Templin said the focus on keeping business taxes as low as possible was a misplaced priority.
“Business does not need another tax cut,” he said. “What business needs are customers.”
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Comments
14 Responses to “Scott Signs Off On Unemployment Benefit Cut”
Who can show a deduction on their paycheck stub marked ‘unemployment insurance?” Is it right before Federal Withholding; FICA; Medicare?
I can’t find it.
That must mean if the government is paying it; it must be a taxpayer benefit funded thing. What entitles someone, who is out of work, to my money?
If I get out of work, I look for a job. If the government doesn’t give me a check, I look harder.
How much more money the government doesn’t have would you like?
These are not handouts, we all pay for this “insurance”. One could say that this is another example of an insurance company not wanting to pay what is owed. And as far as most people voting for him, I doubt it will happen again! The last poll I saw said Scott’s approval rating is down to 29%. I wonder why…
He said he would do it and more people voted for him than not ! He is getting our state back to the Jeb Bush levels when we were #1 in most categories in the nation from no jobs to high taxes. Stop crying about everything he does cause you would rather take a hand out !!! You can bet that the ones that abuse the system (( and I mean the whole family )) are the ones crying !! HEY LIBERALS I was not put on this earth to take care of LAZY, WORTHLESS people. I take care of my own !! Ben Franklin ( I think ) said that if you give the people everything and dont make them earn it that the next generation will be even worse !! HELLO !! Hit it on the head with that one Ben !! If you dont like the truth then dont read it !!
And billy im surely no democrat. Im very conservative. But im not a political tea party zealot. Stop drinking the koolaid and read up about this guy.
Let the whining begin.
Not all companies are doing bad. I hear Solantic- the company that is manufacturing the drug tests that will be testing state employees and welfare recipients (owned by rick Scott who recently transferred the shares to his wifes name) is doing rather well after this legislation passed. Looks like scotts 70 million dollar investment to become governor is going to pay off.
Keep up the good work Scott. Whenever i hear the lazy democrats whine I know you are doing a good job……hehe.
Companies are already refusing to pay unemployment benefits which their former workers are entitled to. District and regional managers are overriding local managers and cooking the claims to say the employee was fired and thus ineligible for unemployment, or they say the employee quit and made them ineligible for unemployment. These workers may either be full time or part time workers. A dismissed worker can appeal, but if they weren’t given anything in writing, then the have little or no recourse. The people at the state office will not contact a person or if a laid off employee does make contact, they aren’t given any explanation why the claims haven’t been paid. You have to get in touch with your state representative or senator to get any info out of the Workforce people. There may be a few people who are milking the system, but most people desperately need Unemployment Compensation. I certainly don’t see any jobs around to “Get To Work” on.
Where are all those jobs the tax cuts for the rich were supposed to create? Hummmm, maybe more tax cuts for the rich with do it and balance the budget deficit too?
I am surprised he isn’t drug testing them!! Well you lazy no good for nothing working people don’t deserve unemployment benefits. All the money and benefits belong to corporations PROFIT, PROFIT not a dang gone working person. Funny when working folk turn on one another with no sense of care or concern for them. We Christians got it going for us, right here in the Bible belt buckle. Don’t let the unemployed eat by golly, they don’t need no electricity, I am not supporting making any corporation pay into a unemployment fund they need that money, it looks real good on their portfolios.
It is true …. We don’t need more cuts … More business would be a blessing !
These are certainly tough times, I expect to see the underground market economy (drugs, contrband ect), and arrest rates to increase.
Gov Scott is doing what he said he would do.
many people are milking the system and he will pull them from the Tit.
if they do go on welfare , they better be able to pass a drug test. = tough love
we have to start somewhere people.
many are milking the system and selling drugs to drive that big SUV
And once they cut off everyone from employment they will turn around and say ” look everyone, our unemployment numbers are going down!” Only because they stop counting the jobless.
Its all farce, these same people will end up on welfare now
Trust me, no one wants to live on low income