“Florida has taken a sharp turn in the wrong direction with the recent bailout and expansion of the state’s unemployment insurance program. Using $418 million in federal stimulus money, the extension provides benefits for 250,000 unemployed Floridians who previously had exhausted their benefits. This bailout came with a hefty price. To receive the additional funds, Florida lawmakers were required to increase the taxes paid by companies into the unemployment trust fund by increasing the minimum taxable wage per employee from the first $7,000 to $8,500.” (06/11/09)