House Passes Unemployment Compensation Reform After Debate

On Thursday, the Florida House debated a measure reforming the state unemployment compensation system and passed iton an 81-38 vote that came very close to party lines.

The measure would reduce unemployment compensation from 26 weeks to 20 weeks -- and down to 12 weeks if the unemployment rate drops below 5 percent. The measure would also require Floridians receiving unemployment benefits to take skills assessments.

This bill is about tax relief to help business to retain jobs, insisted Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, who introduced the bill.

The House had agreed to an hourlong debate, giving both sides 30 minutes apiece to argue the merits of the bill.

Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, kicked off the debate and served as the floor manager for the Republicans.

Our unemployment compensation system is fractured, said Hukill, who insisted that businesses would face tax increases if the measure was not passed. There is no silver bullet to solve every single problem in the unemployment compensation system.

Hukill praised the measure for helping usher an environment that fosters business innovation and, more importantly, business growth.

After Hukill spoke, House Democrats started their first round of arguments.

Democrats, with Rep. Jim Waldman of Coconut Creek as floor manager, countered with Rep. Scott Randolph of Orlando, who attacked the measure for helping out-of-state companies instead of out-of-work Floridians.

Are we going to stand with Floridians or Wall Street demanded Randolph, who insisted that the measure would help investors more than working-class residents of the Sunshine State.

This bill tries to do too much, too soon, said Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Joe Gibbons of Pembroke Pines who attacked the skills assessments requirement.

Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami, praised some aspects of the bill but said the time was wrong to cut benefits with so many Floridians out of work. Garcia quoted former President George H.W. Bush, calling the measure voodoo economics.

This is not the time to crush down on the middle class and the lower middle class, said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Fort Lauderdale.

Republicans countered with arguments that the bill would help businesses recover and lead to more jobs in the Sunshine State.

Conservative Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, praised the measure, arguing that it would help pave the road to recovery.

High business taxes equal higher business taxes and increased layoffs, said Workman. Our businesses drive our economic recovery.

Workman pointed to his own record as a small-business man to opposed Randolphs comments.

I am not a rich Wall Street fat cat, continued Workman. I am a small-business owner.