That should go over with a real bang with the people here who are suffering so. They are already having troubles getting their benefits, and this will add to the problems. Crist has been wishy washy about the stimulus for the jobless, but he would probably let it through.
Federal stimulus cash pumped through Florida's budgetWhile Republican Gov. Charlie Crist warmly embraced the Democratic spending plan, some Republican state House members suggested they might refuse some of the money. In the end, the Legislature will likely reject about $440 million in additional workers' compensation benefits that could trigger a higher tax on businesses.
Lawmakers will take the remaining $13 billion.
''We have to spend what we have,'' said Rep. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican. ``Most of us are beyond the philosophical questions at this point.''
But you ain't seen nothing yet. They plan to transfer the money coming for Medicaid's programs for the needy to other uses. Not a good idea.
The biggest chunk of cash for the state budget: $1.8 billion in Medicaid money. Medicaid rolls grew 9 percent in the past year, punching a $300 million deficit in the state-federal health insurance program. Now, about 14 percent of the state's population is on Medicaid.
But not all the money will remain in the program. About $900 million in Medicaid money is being transferred out to balance the rest of the portion of the budget that's in deficit.
In this Sunday's St. Pete Times they cover the serious problems people are having getting through to the unemployment offices.
Phone line leaves Florida jobless stranded, frustratedTALLAHASSEE — For some Floridians, losing a job is just the beginning of their frustration. The state agency that handles claims for unemployment benefits can't keep pace with the record demand for help, even after hiring 500 more workers to manage 1,000 phone lines at three locations on weekdays, at nights and on weekends.
As the jobless rate in Florida nears 10 percent, the Agency for Workforce Innovation concedes that people trying track down a lost check or resolve other problems get recorded messages, busy signals or cut off entirely. The lucky ones may endure waits of more than 10 minutes.
"They can't get anyone on the line to deal with people," said Kenneth Ruff, 46, of Dunedin, an unemployed engineering consultant, who said it took him a month to find out he missed a deadline to file for benefits by three weeks. He said Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers need to create a "no worker left behind" program.
AWI says it has no way of knowing how many callers don't get through to a live agent.
The state is already griping about the lack of resources.
Unable to get through by phone, many callers turn to the governor's office or legislators for help.
"We get calls all the time. They're just overwhelmed," said Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat. "There are too many who need help and too few resources."
Another worry At the same time, the pool of money to pay unemployment compensation is shrinking rapidly. It was at $619 million last week, down from $680 million the week before.
Wait until they hear that their legislators might refuse $440 million in stimulus money for the unemployed.
All hell should break loose.
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