Unemployment benefits extended for Floridians
To the editor:
Unemployed Floridians are struggling in this challenging economic climate, trying to figure out how to pay their bills and support their families. We simply cannot desert the 250,000 Floridians who qualify for the extended federal assistance signed into law yesterday. Recently I signed Executive Order 10-170, authorizing Floridians who qualify for Unemployment Compensation Extended Benefits to resume receiving those benefits through December 4, 2010, as authorized by the federal law. I am committed to exercising my Constitutional duty to authorize the use of available federal funds to help out-of-work Floridians who qualify for this help.
As you know, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is capped for now. While we are relieved and continue to pray for a permanent seal on the leak businesses and families who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods are struggling. These communities rely on visitors who come to Florida to enjoy our beautiful beaches, great fishing, and delicious seafood.
Unfortunately, the threat of oil and tar from the spill have frightened away many of our visitors.Most likely, we will continue to see the oil in the Gulf continue to impact our waters and our coast. As a result, it will also impact our economy due to lost business and lost wages.
It is logical to predict that the oil spill disaster will result in declining property values. The businesses and families of the Gulf Coast did nothing to warrant this loss, yet they carry the burden of the loss.
For that reason, I signed an Executive Order that will provide relief to property owners in the 26 counties under the current state of emergency.I have granted property appraisers authorization to provide an interim assessment of any property that may have dropped in value because of the oil spill.
Property owners can then use that documentation to file a claim with BP, or any other responsible party. Several property appraisers have contacted me, and are concerned about the loss of property value.
By law, all property was assessed for tax purposes on January 1. However, the oil spill may have made those values unrealistic for some homeowners. An interim assessment will give property owners the documentation they need to hold BP accountable.
We remain vigilant to lookout for oil that may be headed our way. Our tourism industry, hotels and restaurants, fishermen and seafood workers all depend on the Gulf of Mexico and our beautiful beaches.
We have much more work to do to fight for Floridians facing this oil spill.
Charlie Crist
Florida Governor
Tallahassee