Jobless Figures Highlight Need for Bipartisan Action

From the House Dems:

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement about October employment figures:

“Families across Florida are devastated by the reality of a 34-year-high unemployment rate. It is hard to find a friend or neighbor who isn’t touched by today’s news that Florida’s unemployment rate is 11.2 percent.

“The challenges facing our families and small businesses are obvious to anyone paying attention. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the Florida House has turned its back on countless citizens who see the need for helping jobless Floridians with a fairer Unemployment Compensation system.

“Florida House Democrats remain hopeful that Republican leaders will drop their opposition to modernizing Florida’s Unemployment Compensation system and will join Governor Charlie Crist in approving the use of $444 million in federal stimulus to assist the growing-number of jobless Floridians.

“These dollars will be spent helping families buy food, pay rent and will generally boost economic activity and retail business throughout the state. Additionally, as Governor Crist has asserted, jobless benefits approved by President Barack Obama and Congress would allow Florida to help individuals who lose their jobs due to family circumstances, such as domestic violence, family illness or the relocation of a spouse.

“It is time that Republican leaders begin working on bipartisan solutions that will put Florida back to work.”