Jacob Ogles
Florida Congressional Democrats say the administration member Gov. Ron DeSantis tasked with fixing unemployment benefits must act quickly.
In a letter to Department of Management Services Secretary Jon Satter signed by every Democrat in the Florida Delegation, Representatives say Florida’s response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unacceptable.
DeSantis recently tapped Satter to address unemployment issues and sidelined Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson.
“We were incredibly disturbed to see newly-released U.S. Department of Labor data that discloses that nearly 3 of every 4 Floridians who managed to file claims between mid-March and early April are still waiting to have them processed,” the letter reads.
“This is one of the worst rates in the entire country. We are sure you realize that this is unacceptable and negligent of the Florida state government and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), and something must be done about it immediately.”
While Lawson still technically oversees the rest of DEO, a press release announcing the Democrats’ letter initially called Satter the “newly appointed secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.”
But the letter makes clear Democrats believe Satter has a critical task in fixing problems. Members of Congress want certain questions addressed immediately:
— How many unemployment claims has the state processed so far?
— When does the DEO expect Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to be implemented?
— When can the DEO assure every Floridian making a claim will receive benefits they are owed?
— What steps are being taken to improve the application process, including staffing and improvements to the unemployment website?
Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Miami Democrat who spearheaded the letter, said flaws in the system inspired a flood of calls to her office.
“Constituents call me every day desperate for help on how to get their unemployment benefits so that they can pay their rent and mortgages, and buy groceries,” she said. “The flaws in this system were evident early in this crisis and should have been addressed long ago. Now the state is playing catch up and individuals and families are paying the financial and emotional toll.”
Other Democrats amplified that message as well.
“Unemployed Floridians need answers and they need action,” tweeted Rep. Val Demings, an Orlando Democrat. “These failures are inexcusable.”
Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Boca Raton Democrat, agreed and encouraged Satter in his new capacity to active.
“Provide answers and work with us on a plan to salvage FL’s failing unemployment system,” he said on Twitter..
One comment
Wendy Davis
April 22, 2020 at 7:29 pm
I am an outpatient physical therapist who was furloughed due to Covid-19. I filed for unemployment late March. I just received my Federal monies yesterday (thank you Jesus). My application has been completed through the DEO for 3 weeks, but I am unable to receive my claims that are just sitting there, and the kicker is that my benefits expire as of 4/23, tomorrow. The system is BROKEN! Even if you were one of the “lucky ones” to file a claim online that took you a week (if ever) to go through, you are stuck trying to claim the weeks of monies that were given to you, to no avail! You will after a million attempts, and come to the very end to only get an error prompt. (silent scream)
Looks like Florida is giving out Federal monies and holding onto state unemployment. Something is very wrong! This is MADNESS! I have never filed for unemployment in my life! I hope that the unemployment will be retroactive to cover when you acutually filed for unemployment. That is my hope, and certainly all of our prayers! DEO HELP US!
Wendy Davis.
Comments are closed.