Crist's Executive Order Helps Property Owners; 35,000 Jobless Floridians Next in Line?

Property owners in the 26 counties affected by the Gulf oil spill are eligible for interim assessments to substantiate claims against BP or others, Gov. Charlie Crist declared today.

With his executive order, Crist said, An interim assessment will give property owners the documentation they need to hold BP accountable."

The interim assessment will not change the tax bills residents pay in November.

And speaking of executive orders, state Rep. Kevin Radar is pressing Crist to pay out additional benefits to unemployed Floridians.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation, which administers Floridians unemployment benefits, states that Florida law "does not provide for extended benefit entitlement remaining on claims after June 5, 2010.

The Boynton Beach Democrat tried to loosen the pursestrings during the legislative session, but failed. He tried to put the issue on the special-session agenda, but failed there, too.

Now Rader believes that Crist has the authority, via executive order, to keep extended unemployment benefits flowing as long as 100 percent federal sharing is available.

Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey told Sunshine State News:

"We are currently looking at the implications of the federal bill, specifically if the governor has the authority to issue an executive order or if legislative change is necessary. Once the bill passes Congress, which it has not yet, we will be in a better position to discuss our next steps."

Rader says the state stands to miss out on approximately $290 million of federal funds" if it does not act.

We cant have 35,000 Floridians losing their benefits," Rader said after lawmakers adjourned Tuesday.