Florida legislature -- possible new benefits?

While all this is going on at the federal level with everyone waiting to see if Congress will pass an extension of deadlines, there is also activity at the state level that could be of enormous importance to some people on this site, and others in Florida who never got EB or the full number of EB weeks because the program was cut off June 5.

If you think this might apply to you, catch up on our discussion in the EB discussion thread, starting with my post here, and continuing on with added posts with the articles about the special session in Tallahassee:

https://unemployed-florida.forumotion.com/latest-uc-eb-euc-awi-news-f1/general-eb-discussion-ongoing-t1-600.htm#4475

Not sure if anything will come of this but a bill was filed today by Radar for unemployment compensation. HB55C. It was listed under the Bills sections of the Fl house website.

"Gov. Charlie Crist could grant long-term out-of-work Floridians relief with the stroke of his pen, according Sen. Dan Gelber, a Miami Beach Democrat running for attorney general."

"Crist could do by executive order what GOP lawmakers refused to do earlier this year, Gelber said."



http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/07/gelber-asks-crist-for-executive-order-to-expand-unemployment-benefits/#comments

Here's another wrap-up of what's going on with EB, Crist, and the Republicans who ignored the issue in the special session.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/state-politicians-have-to-act-for-some-jobless-floridians-to-get-extra-20/1110319

I just noticed a news announcement that the Obama family will be visiting Florida for a weekend beginning on Saturday, August 14.

If Crist is delaying this EB issue until then for newsworthy political drama and his personal agenda…


http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/07/obama-family-heading-to-floridas-gulf-coast/

need 2 know about the fla law that excludes some people from getting eb after june 5th.

[Moved from original location; please stay within existing subject threads, thanks!--nancym]

"Speaker Larry Cretul says he didn’t know ..."


http://www.flanews.com/?p=10053#comment-13784

Crist signed it

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/07/crist-issues-executive-order-allowing-out-of-work-floridians-to-get-extended-unemployment-benefits/

Star wrote:Crist signed it

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/07/crist-issues-executive-order-allowing-out-of-work-floridians-to-get-extended-unemployment-benefits/

That's utterly fantastic! I hope everyone coming to this forum understands just what that means. There has been a tremendous confusion on other boards about what just passed in Congress for the Tiers, which also included an extension of the 100% funding for EB in whatever states are eligible for it (I think that's almost all states; some qualify for only 13 weeks.)

So anybody who has not received their total "99 weeks" (which could mean less than that if you didn't get max benefits from your work history), can now get either the tiers they have left OR-- EB if they have not used up all those weeks. AND, if anyone never received EB and finishes their tiers before Nov 30, they can then apply for further benefits under the EB program (up through Dec 4 only)!

For Florida, with still a 12.5% TUR (3-month average) that still mean 20 weeks max on EB.