Bitterly divided, House rejects unemployment cash

The House just voted unanimously to extend the length of unemployment benefits up to 20 weeks, but after an emotionally partisan debate Republicans rejected $444 million in federal stimulus dollars to expand who is eligible for compensation.

Democrats assailed the move as heartless and misguided, saying the state can scale back on eligibility after the crisis has passed. Republicans suggested that would be "fraud" and said the expansion would cost businesses more and hurt the economic recovery. The Democratic amendment failed 45-70.

Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando: “I’m just shocked. Shocked."

Adam Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie: "We are playing politics with the pocketbooks of the people we represent back home."

Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples, said it would increase the tax for unemployment compensation. "If we keep making it harder to hire and more expensive to hire, they won't hire."

Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, bristled at being labeled a "robot." He said, "Once government provides that handout, it never takes it back. This is not an issue about not being compassionate."

Comments

[So Cold]

jerks. the money's there, why not take it? Of course, it's doubtful any of the no voters have friends who this money might make a difference with. In their little world, everyone lives on the largesse of lobbyists campaign money.

[Grateful Floridian]

We are becoming a nation of leeches living off handouts and bailouts.

Thank you Florida House for standing up to this insanity.

[not so fast]

Good for the Reps for holding strong. There are too many strings attached to accepting the federal 'bribe'. And to So Cold, I've been there not having a job it is certainly not a pleasant experience but the situation does not stay the same forever. We need to encourage business to employ more people not less and if you increase the cost of having an employee then there is no incentive to hire.

[Astounding...]

I hate what the Republicans are doing to the state, but I love what they are doing to themselves. Keep it up Republicans, you will see youselevs swept out of control in Tallahassee as quick as you cheated your way in back in 1996. The majority of you are ideology driven scum who could care less about the average Florida citizen. But it is we, the average Florida citizens, by way of our votes who control your destiny. BEWARE!!!

[enough]

Quit your whining and get a real job. Whatever happened to hard work and self-reliance.

[Doorworker]

"Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, bristled at being labeled a "robot." He said, 'Once government provides that handout, it never takes it back. This is not an issue about not being compassionate.'..."

Then he added, "We're extremely compassionate to campaign-contributing corporations and industries. And let's be honest--families living in their broken-down cars and eating out of dumpsters will work much harder for lower pay than people we leave any shred of dignity to."

[Proud Conservative]

Thank you Republicans!!! Great job!

[Hernando's hurting]

Great, won't take $444 million federal stimulus money for unemployment compensation, but probably willing to borrow $500 million from Seminole tribe casinos like there are no strings attached.

I hope my representative Rob Schenk, who's district has a 12.9% unemployment rate, didn't vote against this money. If he did, I nominate him for another loser of the week award.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Heartless is an accurate term.

Who knows how long the unemployed will remain unemployed in this economy.

Unemployment compensation in Florida is already amongst the lowest in the nation.

When was the last time that the compensation was increased?

[Sadly]

Poor babies. I'm so sad for their struggle.

Are their children hungry?
Are they unable to provide shoes for their children?
Are they now unable to help with Mother's nursing home bills?
Are they doing without medical care?
Are they at risk for losing their homes?
Do they have night sweats related to anxiety for their families?

Wait a min. No to the above! No to all of the above!

Then tell them to get the F*#& over their stupid ideological notions and find a way to help Floridians in pain.

This approx. half $$billion can come to Florida or it can go somewhere.

As soon as it hits the hand of unemployed Floridians it will go to the grocery, to the gas station, or to to some other critical element of our economy.

Can we afford to spit on an extra half billion into our local Florida economy?

The Repiggies seem to think so.

Let's send their arrogant broken ideologies back home.

[Nascar Dad]

The bill was an alternative proposed by the business community that raises taxes on employers for five years at $650 million per year to fund unemployment compensation.

The dems wanted to add the Obama plan with permanent strings attached that was a one-time $440 million. The business community wasn't going to take both.

Now put yourself in the legislature. Which one do you take?

[mad moderate]

Keep it up republicants.Just make sure you do not step out of the guidelines handed down from the national party.We wouldn't want any of you idiots re-elected by doing whats right rather then step on a politicians toes in some other state.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Now put yourself in the legislature. Which one do you take?

Posted by: Nascar Dad | April 29, 2009 at 07:29 PM

_______________________________

With the rate of unemployment as it is now and may be for some time into the future?

[Nascar Dad]

PDH,

The $440 million democrat package is a one time deal. It's enough to pay for two months of benefits, then it's gone.

The bill passed today is an additional $650 million in payroll taxes on employers per year for five years.

Whether the current unemployment rate last two months or two years, goes higher or lower, which do feel is the better plan? But you can't have both.

[Are they crazy?]

Dear Republican Legislators:
I can no longer vote, support, or volunteer for you.

You for voting against every middle class Floridian who is suffering from the failed economic policies your brethren in Washington DC created.

Best of luck - you will need it,
Middle class worker, who will not vote against my own economic interest ever again

[Santa]

Accepting this money would be akin to Chrysler thinking the Govt was going to bail them out, instead they gave them to the UAW.

The unemployment money has so many strings attached that lock in this state into supporting more socialist programs. The unemployment bill gives money for one year but stipulates the State of Florida must fund it for FIVE MORE YEARS!

100 emergencies, 100 socialist agenda items/people approved, "Mission Accomplished!" Barack

OOPS, our legislature didn't fall for your socialist agenda.

[Buzzard]

OOOOH the dems must have had their panties twisted up in a really tight wad way up high...having to pass up all that filthy luchre and the potential for fraud that it offered. Can't somebody give a brother a break?

[Sen Staffer]

Gee...what, oh what, will the poor of the state do without 25 dollars a week? Oh..wait....get a job...OH....WAIT! In addition to my state job I got with the degree my GI Bill paid for...I also work in a restaurant on the weekends...so your telling me that I can find 2 jobs...and illegal immigrants can find jobs...but there are no jobs? Swallow your pride, have some personal responsibility and FIND A JOB!

[Karma]

I can assure every gleeful, snarling, mean spirited Republican that isn't rich that this action will hurt some you know, care about, or love if not you your precious little self. How short sighted and incredibly stupid you are.

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[Appalled]

Someone needs to do an ISP search on the person who signed as "Sen Staffer". If this person truly is a Senate Staffer, they should be fired immediately. If only for the reason that they are totally out of touch with reality.

[Please help those made unemployed by the Republicans]

I want my tax dollars to help those made unemployed by the economic disaster of the Bush Administration. Republican failures have cost millions of educated and hard-working Americans their jobs, through no fault of their own. Why on earth does Florida still have Republicans in charge and making these decisions after all the harm they've done? If these fools stand in the way of assistance then the Obama Administration needs to make the money directly available to those who need it.

[Republicans - doing as much harm as possible before we toss them out.]

Wow the wingnuts are happy, but you guys just cut your own throats. Might as well go all out with your hate and destruction - this is bound to be your last chance at it.

[Clyde]

Republicans never miss a chance to screw working people. Love the comment from 4/29 05:36. Obviously he can afford to say that, since he still has a job. Wonder how he will feel when unemployed with no job prospects.

[Sen Staffer]

11:52 "Republicans never miss a chance to screw working people. Love the comment from 4/29 05:36. Obviously he can afford to say that, since he still has a job. Wonder how he will feel when unemployed with no job prospects."

In case you have trouble reading English...I work 2 jobs. Being the son of an immigrant, my mother raised me with the belief that those who cant do for themselves are a burden to society unless they have physical or mental disabilities. So your comment about screwing working people is misplaced since my other job is bartending, not a glamorous weekend job. I never have and never will find myself without job prospects as I am College Educated, Hardworking, Motivated and Speak English. As I stated previously, if there are enough jobs for illegals, there are jobs. You only have to swallow your pride and look.

[Pissed Off Naples Resident]

Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples, said it would increase the tax for unemployment compensation. "If we keep making it harder to hire and more expensive to hire, they won't hire."

Who is Tom Grady:
*Fiscal Conservative
*Social Dimwit
*Pandering to all the Pro-Lifers, yet won't support additional funding for preventative health care
*Spoiled socialite

But in his district, all you have to do is be a registered Republican, say you want to cut/lower taxes, make arrogant/ignorant statements and well, then you can get elected. Yet they forget about the little guy, the members of society that have fallen upon bad times. Why? Because those people don't donate - just vote.

Well, time to get "those people" and vote "them" out of office.

Blasphemy. Just blasphemy.