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May 9, 2011

National Unemployment Rises, Florida Governor Scott Slashes Unemployment Benefits 
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The nation's official unemployment rate increased to nine percent in
April, although the private sector added 268,000 jobs in the month. Some
13.7 million people were counted as unemployed. Meanwhile, several
states are taking steps to dismantle the unemployment insurance system.
In Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Scott is soon expected to sign a bill
to cut unemployment benefits immediately by 11.5 percent. Unemployed
workers would lose all benefits after no more than 23 weeks, instead of
26. The bill also cuts the business tax by 10 percent, which pays for
unemployment benefits.



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