Local Workforce Board Waits For Stimulus Money

As part of the latest stimulus package, unemployment benefits for eligible workers has increased by $25 per week.

The benefits began kicking in Feb. 22, according to the governor's office.

"This is all federally funded and all part of the stimulus package," said Ken Russ, a spokesman for the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board.

The recovery legislation extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program through Dec. 31. Both that program and the additional compensation through President Barack Obama's plan will provide more assistance for unemployed workers as they pay for food, clothing, medicine and transportation costs, according to a media release by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Unemployment benefit recipients in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible for the increase.

Gov. Charlie Crist has endorsed the stimulus plan, putting him at odds with other prominent Republicans who criticized the bill, claiming it included too much spending.

He sees the plan as a way to boost the state's 2009-10 budget, and the federal government predicted the funds would create and retain more than 206,000 jobs in Florida.

Crist also is recommending $2 billion for workforce initiatives.

For December, Hernando County had nearly 7,000 people seeking unemployment benefits. Its 10.9 percent unemployment for the month was tied for the second-worst in the state behind Flagler County.

The unemployment figures for January will be released Friday.