Florida House Democrats Support Unemployment Compensation Tax Relief

With job creation and retention for Floridians at the top of their agenda for 2010, Florida House Democratic Caucus members today voted unanimously in support of House Bill 7033, a measure that aims to recharge Florida’s economy by giving businesses immediate relief from unemployment compensation tax increases.

On a 117-0 vote, the Florida House of Representatives approved the bill, the first measure to be heard during the 2010 legislative session. It now proceeds to the Florida Senate. During House floor debate on HB7033, Florida House Democratic Caucus members offered these and other remarks:

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota): “There are small businesses all over the state suffering. Many are on the verge of bankruptcy and others would like to add to their payroll but can’t because of unemployment compensation tax increases…We’re all together on this. We will have many contentious issues over the rest of the session. This is one where we’re together.”

Rep. Ron Saunders (D-Key West): “I think it is very appropriate that this is the first bill. It is a good example of how, with bipartisan cooperation, we can get things done. This is not going to fix the problem. This delays the fix. But unless we continue to act in a bipartisan, cooperative manner, we’re going to have lots of problems, not just this year, but down the road.”

Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando), House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore: “It is clear that we have all been listening very closely to our friends in the business community. I rise in support of this legislation, which will give immediate relief to our businesses facing increases in unemployment compensation taxes. At same time, I rise to urge this body to modernize our unemployment compensation system so that victims of domestic violence who can’t work can be covered and individuals who move to be closer to their spouses work can be covered…While I think this legislation is a good step in the right direction, I also urge us to consider modernization of our system.”

Rep. Maria Sachs (D-Delray Beach): “Floridians are looking for jobs. We have a 12-percent unemployment rate, and it’s 12.4 percent in home area of Palm Beach County. We are singing the same song when it comes to this bill. I’m very excited that this is our first bill.”

Rep. Joe Gibbons (D-Hallandale Beach): “This bill brings immediate relief to small businesses, the economic engine of our country. This is a first step, and I hope, not the last step to help small businesses.”

Soto Fights For Renters' Rights In Foreclosure

Representative Darren Soto (D-Orlando) offered two amendments today to House Bill 125 sponsored by Representative Hazelle Rogers (D-Lauderdale Lakes). House Bill 125 would increase protections for tenants who live in a property involved in a foreclosure proceeding. Representative Soto’s amendments, which were defeated in committee, would have granted rights to tenants who live in a property involved in a foreclosure action.

The amendments sought to give tenants: the ability to terminate a lease once a foreclosure action has been filed against the property in which they reside; the option to remain in a property according to the lease for the duration of the foreclosure action; and the right to remain in the property until 90 days after the certificate of title is issued or for the remainder of a valid written lease, whichever is longer.

Representative Soto also offered an amendment to require tenants be served with a plain-language notice explaining their rights. These amendments are to be interpreted consistent with federal case law.

“I am disheartened by today’s votes against common-sense legislation that would provide bare-minimum notice to any tenant whose property is in foreclosure,” said Representative Darren Soto. “Under current law, tenants in foreclosure have few rights and remedies; and the circumstances they face can be confusing, frustrating and tragic. Representative Rogers and I are committed to continuing the fight for this legislation to help renters.”

Members of the Civil Justice and Courts Policy Committee voted against House Bill 125 and both of Representative Soto’s amendments. The bill failed on a 9-2 vote.

They cut, we bleed

From Progress Florida:

Our state is facing a deficit of more than $3 billion, and every indication from Republican leaders in the legislature is they plan to balance Florida's budget on the backs of children, seniors, the uninsured, and the environment.

Sign our petition to Speaker Cretul, Senate President Atwater, and Gov. Crist: balance the budget by ending special interest tax loopholes, not more cuts.

Budget cuts hurt all of us. When legislators reduce school funding, more of our children are unprepared for the workforce, and worse, more end up in jail. When health care programs like Medicaid are slashed, many of our neighbors can't get access to the health care they need, which eventually drives up costs for everyone else. When environmental programs are cut, our open spaces, waterways and wildlife are threatened with destruction and extinction. Worst of all, more budget cuts means more people unemployed, and that means it will take longer for Florida to recover from the recession.

Sign our petition to Florida leadership: no more cuts.

As with any crisis, there's always an opportunity to do better. We can generate new revenues by closing down loopholes in our corporate income tax and eliminating special interest won sales tax exemptions. In the process, we can make our state's antiquated tax system more progressive and fair. The bottom line is that crippling budget cuts are unnecessary with these options available.

Florida can do better: sign our petition to legislative leaders and Gov. Crist urging a responsible budget with no cuts.

Balancing our budget by slashing key public services that we all benefit from is irresponsible and will prolong Florida's deep economic recession. Let's make sure our legislature gets the message.

For progress,
Mark, Ray, and the Progress Florida team

Link

Florida House Democrats Say: Don't Refuse Federal Economic Recovery Funds for Unemployed Families

From the House Dems:

Florida House Democrats today urged House Speaker Larry Cretul and other House Republicans to take immediate action to ensure that Florida doesn’t reject more than $1 billion in federal stimulus aid for out-of-work Floridians.

With the unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, Florida is under extreme economic duress due to the slowdown of the real estate market and the global economic recession. In the midst of this crisis, Florida’s unemployment trust fund is being drained.

Concerned about the thousands of hard working, middle-class Florida families who will suffer due to unexpected job loss, House Democrats are urging immediate legislative approval of two major actions before the end of the 2009 lawmaking session. Democrats are seeking:

· Approval of legislation that would allow the state to use $777 million in federal Recovery Act money for the rest of the year for an estimated 250,000 people whose benefits would otherwise expire.

· Passage of legislation that would implement the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Incentive program that would provide an additional $444 million for unemployed Floridians. This program would offer benefits to individuals who lose their jobs for certain family circumstances, such as the relocation of a spouse, family illness, or domestic violence.

Measures that would implement these changes have been authored by state senators and have been subject to modest review in the Florida House of Representatives. The House should take immediate steps to pass these bills, including CS/SB 810, CS SB 516, and House Bill 1333 by Representative J.G. Rader (D-Delray Beach).

Florida House Democrats appreciate concerns that have been raised about potential future-year expenses associated with adoption of these changes. However, Florida House Democrats have repeatedly noted that the economic recovery dollars that have been provided by Congress and approved by President Barack Obama are urgently needed to help Florida’s economy recover and for families to be able to avoid crushing financial crises due to unemployment during this recession.

Additionally, U.S. Department of Labor officials have again confirmed in a recent correspondence with Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) that “there is no requirement that the state return any money it if later repeals the provisions” of the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Incentive program.

Representative Skidmore offered these remarks:

“Florida’s unemployed and hard-working families should not be denied their full and fair share of economic recovery funds. The Legislature should not penalize people who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. These dollars will make a real difference to people who are hungry and need rent money. This money can keep a roof over someone’s head and stimulate Florida’s economy.”

Yomin Postelnik at Broward Republican Party

Yomin is a bit crazy.



"Republican policies work every single time."

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Dean Cannon's Credibility Challenged

State Representative Dean Cannon’s claim that he did not have a credit card belonging to the Republican Party of Florida is being questioned by his Democratic opponent, Amy Mercado. Court records recently disclosed that indicted former Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom racked up nearly $200,000 in expenses on a Republican Party credit card, including a trip to Europe, expensive meals and hotels around the country and electronic equipment.

In response to press inquiries, Rep. Dean Cannon claimed that he did not have a Republican Party credit card. However, in a recent interview with his hometown paper, The Northwest Florida Daily News, Rep. Sansom stated that other Republican House leaders, including Dean Cannon, were issued credit cards from the Republican Party of Florida. Sansom said his spending was “not out of line” from other Party leaders. “I was right in order with anyone with a credit card,” Sansom stated, “That’s how we conduct business to be successful.”

“Dean Cannon has a credibility problem after misleading voters by signing and then breaking a no-tax pledge,” Mercado stated. “Unfortunately, Ray Sansom, who is under indictment for perjury, may be more believable on this issue than Dean Cannon.”

Mercado has issued a public challenge to Rep. Cannon to give the voters a complete and honest answer as to whether he has ever possessed or used a credit card on which the charges were paid by the Republican Party of Florida. “The public deserves to know whether Cannon had such a credit card and whether his charges were similar to Sansom’s,” Mercado said.

Amy Mercado is the first serious challenger Cannon has faced since he was elected to the Florida House in 2004. Mercado was active in the campaign of President Obama who received over 56% of the vote in Cannon’s legislative district in 2008. “People are tired of what has been going on in state government and I offer a chance to make a change,” Mercado stated.