Charlie Crist Extends Unemployment Benefits Until December via Executive Order

Gov. Charlie Crist issued an executive order on Friday extending unemployment benefits in Florida until December -- changing Florida statutes after the battle in Congress this week over benefits.

We simply cannot desert the 250,000 Floridians who qualify for the extended federal assistance signed into law yesterday, said Crist. I am committed to exercising my constitutional duty to authorize the use of available federal funds to help out-of-work Floridians who qualify for this help.

I am thankful Governor Crist followed my call for an immediate executive order to allow Floridians struggling to find work to continue to receive the unemployment benefits they are entitled to, said Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, who is running for attorney general. We must get our economy moving forward and the best way we can achieve levels of stability is by infusing dollars in our economy.