Wexler Fights for Florida's Share of Stimulus Unemployment Benefits
Eight Congressional Democrats from Florida Send Letter to State Senator Jeff Atwater and Speaker Larry Cretul

(Washington, DC) Just days after news that Florida’s unemployment rate has surged to a 30-year high, today Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to State Senator Jeff Atwater and Speaker Larry Cretul regarding the urgent need to alter Florida’s unemployment eligibility criteria in order to take full advantage of unemployment benefits recently authorized by the economic recovery package. Joining Rep. Wexler on the letter were Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, Rep. Corrine Brown, Rep. Kendrick Meek, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Rep. Alan Grayson, and Rep. Ron Klein.

“Given that Florida’s unemployment rate has just reached 9.7 percent, there is an urgent need for the state legislature to take action and ensure that unemployed Floridians get the benefits they deserve,” Congressman Wexler said. “Many laid off workers have yet to find new jobs in this dreadful economy. By denying them unemployment benefits that have been authorized by the economic stimulus package, they may become unable to afford food and basic necessities for their families or face an increased risk of falling behind on their mortgages in a state already devastated by foreclosures.” 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the bold economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama, provides an additional 20 weeks of unemployment benefits to help struggling families get by while they continue to look for work in this troubled economy.  The recovery act would also provide $444 million for Florida’s unemployment compensation trust fund only if the state authorizes an expansion of coverage for workers who have lost their jobs.

A copy of the letter is available here.

Congressman Robert Wexler is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Recently, Congressman Wexler served as an advisor on Middle East issues to President Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

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