Topic: Unemployment Compensation

A $1.2 billion surplus enabled lawmakers to boost spending in several areas including transportation projects boost in funding. Also, the Senate confirmed the head of the Department of Economic Opportunity and lawmakers nixed a requirement that jobless benefit seekers must take a skills test . Read more . . .

After cruising through four Senate committees, DEO executive director Jesse Panuccio's confirmation is ready for a floor vote.

Florida, still grappling with the remaining glitches to a new unemployment system launched in October, would face new challenges to implement an extension of jobless benefits.

The director of the Department of Economic Opportunity faced questions from a Senate panel over the glitch-ridden switch to a new unemployment system in October that led to lengthy delays in benefits for thousands of people who were out of work. The panel then unanimously recommended the confirmation of Jesse Panuccio.

Department of Economic Opportunity officials dispute claims from Deloitte that all technical problems with the new unemployment system it was hired to create and implement are fixed. The agency said it will continue its $15,000 daily fines of the company until the issues are resolved. ... Related Research: DEO's statements on Project CONNECT.

About 75,000 jobless workers will stop receiving benefits Dec. 28 unless Congress extends the federal emergency unemployment compensation program. The news is the latest wrinkle for unemployed workers trying to receive benefits as many struggle with Florida's new computer system for the program. ... Related Research: U.S. Department of Labor: Unemployment Insurance Data Summary - 2013 Q2, and Monthly Program and Financial Data.

Many problems with the switch to the new unemployment system two months ago have been fixed, but many claimants still see a lag in benefits. ... Related Research: Unemployment Insurance Data Summary and Monthly Program & Financial Data from the U.S. Department of Labor, and CONNECT System Daily Update for Monday, December 2, 2013.

Florida's minimum wage will rise by 14 cents starting Jan. 1, but the minimum unemployment tax rate will fall sharply. ... Related Research: DEO 2014 Florida Minimum Wage Calculations, DOR 2014 Reemployment Tax Rates Fact Sheet, and DEO Florida's Minimum Wage announcement.

The situation has drawn the attention of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is calling for a federal investigation, and House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, who wants an update from Gov. Rick Scott on the issue. ... Related Research: Project CONNECT System Update - Fact Sheet for October 30, 2013.

Florida's unemployment compensation system will be down from Wednesday at noon until Oct. 15 as the Department of Economic Opportunity updates its decades-old software. ... Related Research: links to DEO's CONNECT portal and letter to claimants.

Gov. Rick Scott's administration is battling with the federal government over its handling of social safety net programs, voting rights and budget cuts.

The Department of Economic Opportunity wants Congress to investigate the Department of Labor's investigations unit for what it calls a "politicized" investigation into its unemployment compensation system. ... Related Research: Florida Department of Economic letter to Congress and USDOL Investigation Request, and Florida Department of Economic press release on improper politicization at the U.S. Department of Labor.

The state made its last payment on $3.5 billion in federal loans for unemployment compensation claims this week.

Nearly 119,000 Floridians receiving federal emergency unemployment compensation will stop receiving benefits Dec. 29 if Congress doesn't reach a deal to extend them. Also, employers will see the minimum unemployment compensation tax drop by nearly $40 per worker. ... Related Research: Emergency unemployment compensation termination notice from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.