Richard Hartsfield, an employee of the House Sergeant of Arms office, cleans the glass of the House gallery on Monday before the start of the legislative session today. (AP)

The bill (HB 7033) would delay about $1.8 billion in unemployment tax payments for Florida businesses. It passed 117-0.

Companies are supposed to pay a higher tax rate starting in April because Florida’s spiraling unemployment has zeroed out the state fund that pays jobless benefits. To replenish that account, the unemployment tax rate is set to jump from about $8 to $100 per worker.

“Recharging Florida’s economy and putting Floridians back to work is our top priority this year,” House Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council Chairman Dave Murzin said. “Making sure employers can afford to keep the employees they already have is part of that agenda.”

By delaying the tax hike for two years, the state will pay for unemployment benefits by continuing to borrow from the federal government and ultimately accumulate $675 million in interest payments. The bill includes an assessment on employers over five years to cover that cost.

The Senate is expected to approve the bill this afternoon and send it to Gov. Charlie Crist, who is expected to sign it into law.

Tags: Dave Murzin, unemployment taxes

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