Bipartisan Bill Will Extend Relief for Thousands of Florida Workers and Families

September 23, 2009 

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) voted in favor of the Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009, which will provide immediate assistance by extending relief for workers who are in danger of losing their benefits, including 27,359 Florida workers who would otherwise exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of September, and 114,508 more Floridians whose benefits would run out by the end of the year. This bipartisan legislation will boost the local economy and provide stability to Central Florida families by extending benefits for those hit hardest by the recession.

“Though there are positive signs that our economy is on the right track, many Central Florida workers are still struggling to find jobs, and we must make sure they have the support they need,” said Congresswoman Kosmas. “Extending unemployment benefits is a common-sense solution that will give a quick boost to Central Florida’s economy while providing immediate relief to struggling families.”

Workers in states with the highest unemployment rates, including Florida, which has an unemployment rate of 10.7%, who have exhausted or will soon exhaust their benefits, will be eligible for an additional thirteen weeks of insurance.

The Congressional Budget Office has cited unemployment benefits as one of the most cost-effective forms of economic stimulus, and every dollar spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.63 in new demand, according to Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi. The extension is fully paid for, and strengthens reporting requirements to reduce unemployment insurance overpayments.