House Version of Unemployment Compensation Reform Sails Through Committee

A bill that would reduce the maximum number of state unemployment compensation weeks from 26 to 20 breezed through the House Economic Affairs Committee Friday in a partisan vote.

Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, who sponsored the bill and is vice chair of the committee, said his legislation was aimed at replenishing the unemployment compensation trust fund, which has been depleted in recent years due to the rising unemployment rate.

"That trust fund has to be replenished so we have to make tough decisions," Holder said.

But Democrats on the committee and union officials argued that the bill unfairly hurts unemployed workers during a harsh economic time when they need help the most.

"We are foced today with a bill that does a lot for businesses and very little for people," said Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, who proposed amendments that would expand unemployment compensation eligibility that were voted down.

A Senate version of unemployment compensation reform includes some of the same provisions of the House bill, like implementing a skills assessment for workers seeking claims and creating a lower threshold for businesses to successfully challenge workers' claims, but does not include the reduction of maximum weeks.

Full story to follow.