Unemployment

Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined his plans for the $4.1 billion the state plans to spend from money received from the federal government, including funds to fix the state's troubled unemployment system.

Millions who lost jobs at the beginning of the pandemic are still out of the labor force, making up levels of the unemployed not seen since the Great Recession.

The report comes after Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Dane Eagle said retaining the current system is “not an option.”

The governor touted Florida's growing economy and the reopening of classrooms during his State of the State address.

The head of the unemployment agency said retaining the current system, which was overwhelmed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, is "not an option."

Part of the reason is that tourists are next expected to flock to Florida in the coming months.

The nearly $900 billion package includes an extension of jobless aid. The president's criticisms of the bill, including that relief payments would be too small, caught much of Washington by surprise.

More than half of workers surveyed said they were reluctant to enforce COVID-19 safety measures with customers from whom they would receive tips, according to the One Fair Wage study.

U.S. employers added just 245,000 jobs last month as the runaway pandemic continued to weigh on hiring. The unemployment rate fell to 6.7% from 6.9% in October.

A bipartisan group of senators is proposing a nearly $908 billion compromise relief bill with millions of Americans about to fall off a cliff when benefits expire this month.

Many Americans who've lost income in the pandemic are falling deeper into debt — forced to pay bills or even their rent on credit cards. It's a sign of trouble ahead for the economy.

Pent-up demand from households that have been cooped up over the last eight months could drive a spending boom in the spring, providing a big boost to the economy.