Republicans account for 12 of the 14 House lawmakers who represent the FL counties with highest unemployment rates

The news this morning that Florida's unemployment rate dropped from 12 percent to 11.9 percent in January comes just hours before the Republican-led House is expected to muscle through a bill (HB 7005) that would pay for a business tax cut by reducing the benefits paid to out-of-work Floridians.

Here are the counties with the highest unemployment rates and the House lawmakers that represent those areas:

1.) Flagler: 16 percent (Proctor, R-St. Augustine; Costello, R-Ormond Beach)

2.) Hernando: 15.1 percent (Schenck, R-Spring Hill; Smith, R-Inverness)

3.) Hendry: 14.2 percent (Grimsley, R-Sebring)

3.) Marion: 14.2 percent (Baxley, R-Ocala; Perry, R-Gainesville; Chestnut, D-Gainesville; O'Toole, R-Lady Lake; Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights)

5.) St. Lucie: 14.1 percent (Harrell, R-Stuart; Snyder, R-Stuart; Mayfield, R-Vero Beach; Perman, D-Boca Raton)

Comments

[peanut]

"I've got mine, too bad about you." This bill makes it possible for employers to lie much easier to deny the people they lay off the meager benefits Florida provides. Most of the unemployed in Florida already are not eligible for payments. It adds a "skills test" probably by the same people who gave us the FCAT. Then it forces people who are unemployed after 13 weeks to take minimum wage jobs. Lower the living standards of all of us. The many laid of teachers and government employees will then be forced to take minimum wage jobs, thereby saving the state from paying their unemployment benefits. They will lose their houses, cars, etc. And they will have to pay higher insurance costs. I'll bet these people call themselves "good Christians",

[Bill O'Connor]

By the way,the F.C.A.T. was administered by a company owned by Jeb Bush's brother.

[JamesF]

Its time to throw all the Republicans out of office everywhere. We have had 12 years of republican control in Florida. Ever since Jeb Bush got elected things have gone bad. I am sick and tired of gloom and doom from the republicans. Republicans only care about the wealthy - make no mistake about that.

[Robespierre]

The skills test is a joke and crashes thus leaving one with a less than optimal score -probably all part of the plan.

Republican or Democrat, they all want us destitute and groveling.

I will never be grateful for crumbs from the corporate masters table.