Florida Senate approves unemployment benefits increase

Despite opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida senators plowed ahead Thursday with a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits, which are among the lowest in the nation.

The Senate voted 40-0 to approve a bill (SB 1906) that would increase maximum weekly payments from $275 to $375 and add more weeks in which benefits would be available. The vote came days after DeSantis voiced opposition and the House rejected efforts to boost benefits.

“This is a good moment for us,” Senate Minority Leader Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, said. “We've all spent many, many hours and days fielding those calls from our constituents who are struggling with the unemployment system. And I want to thank our partners here in the Senate for hearing the cries of our constituents and having the courage —- and President (Wilton)Simpson and his leadership team for sticking to their guns and doing an increase of benefits.”

Bill sponsor Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, said the need to make changes became apparent over the past year after massive job losses during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to spurring calls for increased benefits, a flood of claims overwhelmed the state’s CONNECT online unemployment system.

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