Leader Perry Thurston, Rep. Lori Berman, and FDP Chair Allison Tant Condemn Rick Scott's Lack of Leadership on Failed Unemployment System

Tallahassee, FL — On a conference call with the press today, House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston, Rep. Lori Berman, and Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant condemned Rick Scott’s repeated failures of leadership as his new unemployment system hurts thousands of Florida families.

“After three months, Rick Scott’s failed unemployment website is still broken. Millions of dollars of claims have gone unpaid; tens of thousands of out-of-work Floridians are living on the margins, struggling to pay rent and feed their families. People are literally selling the shirt off their backs, hoping to keep their families fed,” said House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston.

“Rick Scott has taken absolutely no responsibility. He’s just pointing fingers at everyone else. Rick Scott’s inaction has hurt families that are struggling to survive. About 290,000 claims haven’t been paid — that’s $20 million dollars that struggling Floridians can’t afford to be without,” said Representative Lori Berman.

“Rick Scott should have taken immediate action if he cares about struggling Floridians, yet over three months later he seems unphased that Sen. Bill Nelson is taking the lead in restoring the benefits that hard-working Floridians deserve,” said FDP Chair Allison Tant. 

“Tens of thousands of Floridians are asking, ‘When will the unemployment system finally work?’ Rick Scott needs to show he’s listening. Right now, it seems he’s got his head in the sand,” added Tant.