President Barack Obama signed a $24 billion stimulus bill into law Friday, giving tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and additional jobless benefits to those idled by the business slump. ...more

November 7, 2009

Productivity rises as jobless claims fall Productivity rose at an annual rate of 9.5 percent in the July-September quarter, the Labor Department said Thursday. That was much better than the 6.4 percent gain economists had expected. Unit labor costs fell at a 5.2 percent rate. ...more

November 6, 2009

The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell last week, the government said Thursday, a sign that the job market is making gradual improvement. ...more

August 7, 2009

The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely because of the auto industry. ...more

July 10, 2009

New applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in 14 weeks, a possible sign that the massive wave of layoffs has peaked. ...more

May 8, 2009

Want government assistance? Just say no to drugs. Lawmakers in at least eight states, including Florida, want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing. ...more

March 27, 2009

Drug-Testing Scheme Regarding "Jobless Benefits Drug Test Proposed," Metro, March 17: ...more

March 19, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist signed authorization Tuesday for federal stimulus dollars to start flowing into the state by the end of the month. ...more

March 18, 2009

Out-of-work Floridians who use illegal drugs shouldn't be able to support their habits with state unemployment compensation benefits, a state senator says. ...more

March 17, 2009

Out-of- work Floridians who use illegal drugs shouldn't be able to support their habits with state unemployment compensation benefits, a state senator says. ...more

March 16, 2009