For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
Governor Crist Signs Agreement with U.S. Department of Labor to
Increase Unemployment Benefits for Floridians
~ Federal stimulus money will increase weekly benefits by $25 for remainder of 2009 ~
www.ThePeoplesBudget.state.fl.us
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his efforts to strengthen the economy and help Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week, bringing $345 million to Florida during the 2009 calendar year. By signing the agreement today, the increased benefits take effect starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. The Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act is a result of federal funds authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These extra benefits are so important to Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, and on behalf of every affected Floridian, I am grateful to the federal government for making this possible,” said Governor Crist. “As we continue working in Florida to strengthen our economy through policies and initiatives that create and retain new jobs, these additional unemployment benefits will help Floridians through these difficult times.”
Governor Crist signed the agreement on the same day he outlined his proposed $66.5-billion budget for 2009-10 and a number of legislative priorities for the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session. His proposed measures will strengthen Florida’s economic foundation on multiple fronts. Highlights include actions to ensure wise spending in Florida’s education system, protect property owners’ pocketbooks, improve government accountability, and promote clean emissions and renewable energy policies that will save money in the long term.
Governor Crist’s proposed budget maintains his commitment to protecting Florida’s communities and natural resources and providing health care access for Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. His budget recommendations include investments in education, workforce development and career training, transportation and energy conservation, as well as incentives to spur economic development. Governor Crist’s proposed 2009-10 budget will create or retain 314,590 jobs.
The budget proposal includes recommendations for investing $3.2 billion during the current fiscal year, and $4.7 billion in 2009-10, of the federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This 2009-10 portion of Florida’s three-year, $12.2-billion share will support Florida’s critical programs and infrastructure needs. Without the federal stimulus funds, Florida’s 2009-10 budget would have dropped to $61.8 billion and required drastic reductions and deep cuts to important programs and projects . According to the White House, the stimulus dollars are projected to create and retain more than 206,000 jobs for Floridians over three years.
Governor Crist is recommending $2 billion for workforce initiatives, including the following:
- Career education and employment services that provide Florida’s workforce with a pathway to increased productivity, career advancement and economic prosperity – $800.8 million, which will create or retain 3,000 jobs.
- Ready to Work allows Floridians to improve their job skills and help employers match the skills required of a job with those of job candidates – $6.6 million.
- Vocational rehabilitative service to assist Floridians with disabilities to obtain independence and/or employment– $113.4 million.
- Early childhood education for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, which allows the program to serve 154,521 children – $367.3 million, which will create or retain 12,877 jobs.
- School readiness, which creates one job for every 12 children served, is expected to create or retain 14,742 jobs for the child-care providers that allow families to remain in the workforce and achieve financial self-sufficiency – $621.2 million.
ATTACHMENTS
# # #