Miami, FL -- (SBWIRE) --06/02/2011 -- Amid the worst mass unemployment in the United States since the 1930s, the Florida state legislature passed a law in May that would cut benefits to as low as 12 weeks, depending on the official unemployment level in the state.
Jobless Floridians would receive fewer state benefits while businesses pay less tax under a controversial proposal approved by the legislature.
Come Year 2012, Florida residents would no longer get up to 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits. They would be paid for no more than 23 weeks, instead of 26. They would continue to receive a maximum payment of $275 per week, which is among the lowest of any state in the country.
In Florida, 105,011 people have already run out of benefits.
The law is an attempt to balance the burden between the employers and the unemployed. The state’s unemployment trust fund is financed through a tax on employers, and many complain the system encourages people to remain on unemployment rather than take job they might not want.
Florida had the largest increase in the country of initial unemployment claims filed during the week ending May 14, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The numbers suggest Florida's economy remains slow in improving,
Florida unemployment figures shows a glimmer of hope for the local economy... although chances of the economy turning around anytime soon look pretty slim.
In March, the state's unemployment rate stood at 11.1%, the third highest in the nation. This represents 1,030,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,251,000.
However, in April the numbers had improved. The figure was 10.8% - the lowest it's been since November of 2009.
Even though the unemployment rates are still higher than the national average, this always means more unemployment extensions from the Federal Government.
"The continued decline in the unemployment rate paired with very positive job growth provides a strong signal that Florida's economy has turned the corner," said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo.
About http://www.unemployment-extension.org
Unemployment Extension filings along with accurate day-to-day trends can be found at http://www.Unemployment-Extension.Org.