Florida Senate approves unemployment benefits increase

[TexasTowelie]

Despite opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida senators plowed ahead Thursday with a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits, which are among the lowest in the nation.

The Senate voted 40-0 to approve a bill (SB 1906) that would increase maximum weekly payments from $275 to $375 and add more weeks in which benefits would be available. The vote came days after DeSantis voiced opposition and the House rejected efforts to boost benefits.

“This is a good moment for us,” Senate Minority Leader Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, said. “We've all spent many, many hours and days fielding those calls from our constituents who are struggling with the unemployment system. And I want to thank our partners here in the Senate for hearing the cries of our constituents and having the courage —- and President (Wilton)Simpson and his leadership team for sticking to their guns and doing an increase of benefits.”

Bill sponsor Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, said the need to make changes became apparent over the past year after massive job losses during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to spurring calls for increased benefits, a flood of claims overwhelmed the state’s CONNECT online unemployment system.

Read more: https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2021/04/23/florida-senate-approves-unemployment-benefits-increase

[Dreampuff]

1. The Satan needs to worry more about

Getting the unemployment website fixed then about more money going to the unemployed. Granted, while there was an extra $600 per week given or even with the extra $300 a week that is now being given, the 275 wasn't that unreasonable. But once the extra Federal payments are no longer available, how does he think someone is going to live on $275 a week when you can't even rent an apartment for under $1,000 a month?