FL House Passes Unemployment Compensation Deferment 117-0

The leadership of the Florida Legislature promised to quickly handle the unemployment compensation tax deferment and, so far, they are good on their word.

The Florida House of Representatives passed the deferment by a tally of 117-0. The measure now heads to the Senate this afternoon. Governor Charlie Crist has said he plans to sign the bill tonight.

Representatives were given a maximum of two minutes each to debate the measure over a thirty minute period but there was little that could be called debate as every single speaker called for passage of the measure.

Republicans and Democrats went out of their way to stress bipartisanship and the debate reflected this. Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, recognized two Democrats, Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, and Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach, to open the debate. Cretul even recognized incoming Democratic leader Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, to close the debate.