Number of newly jobless in Florida on the decline — but signs show U.S. recovery stalling
The number of newly jobless in Florida saw another weekly decline, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday — but the latest national count missed economists’ expectations.
For the week ending Sept. 12, Florida saw 33,821 new claims for unemployment assistance. That’s another weekly low since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
But for the rest of the U.S., the figure hit 860,000. While that represented a decline from the previous week, it was above economists’ expectations for 850,000, according to Bloomberg.
All levels remain well above pre-pandemic tallies — and some economists continue to warn of a double-dip recession, especially in the absence of a second stimulus package.
“Today’s Labor Department report on unemployment claims again represents a major warning sign about the state of the economic recovery,” the Century Foundation, a progressive, nonpartisan think tank, said in a statement. “A month and a half after Congress allowed the $600 per week federal benefits boost to expire, the crisis has yet to abate, rehiring is growing slowly, and the struggles of families and businesses continue to fester.”
On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida would no longer participate in President Donald Trump’s jobless assistance program, signaling the state could not afford it. The program stipulated $300 in extra assistance from Washington would have to be matched 25% by the state. The news was first reported by Politico.
A new wave of companies have notified the state this month of extended furloughs or permanent layoffs — though these would not necessarily have shown up in Thursday’s unemployment report, since the affected employees were already out of work.
Among the companies were SeaWorld of Florida, which said about 1,900 employees would now be permanently laid off; Universal Orlando, which said nearly 5,400 employees’ layoffs would now last more than six months; and Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood, where more than 300 employees’ layoffs would now last more than six months.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 8:56 AM.
