State's jobless may miss out on extended benefits - July 23, 2010 - The federal government on Thursday finalized an extension of unemployment benefits that will bring welcome relief to millions of the struggling jobless. But not, at least for now, if they live in the Sunshine State.

Program a lifeline for Floridians facing hardship - July 22, 2010 - A program funded by federal stimulus money aims to help Floridians facing economic hardship and job losses stay on their feet.

Relief fro Middle Class at Tax Time

Thousands in South Florida could be in line for home loan relief - March 5, 2009 - Guidelines released Wednesday by the Obama administration more clearly show who will be eligible for relief under a $75 billion homeowner rescue plan announced two weeks ago. Do you qualify loan help?

In stimulus plan, how much bang for the buck? - February 24, 2009 - Thousands of cities, counties compete for scarce infrastructure funds

Miami-Dade, Broward to receive federal funds for homeless - February 20, 2009 - Florida will get more than $74 million in grants to help hundreds of local homeless-assistance programs, federal officials in Washington announced Thursday.

Big-city mayors to meet with Obama at White House - February 20, 2009 - The mayors of major U.S. cities will gather Friday at the White House to talk about the economy with President Barack Obama.

Number of South Florida consumers filing for bankruptcy rises by 60 percent - February 4, 2009 - South Florida business bankruptcy filings tumbled 30 percent last month to 111 from a year ago. The number of South Florida consumers filing bankruptcy, however, increased 60 percent to 1,685.

Pompano gas distributor to cut 207 workers by end of June - February 4, 2009 - A Pompano Beach gasoline distributor told the state Tuesday it will lay off 207 people by the end of June.

Fewer new homes in Miami-Dade, Broward - February 4, 2009 - New home construction plunged in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in the fourth quarter, according to numbers from Metrostudy, a real estate consultancy.

Macy's eliminates all 600 jobs at Miami office - February 3, 2009 - Macy's is eliminating all 600 jobs at its regional headquarters in downtown Miami, part of a major corporate reorganization that includes cutting 7,000 jobs nationwide.

Obama warns against 'gridlock' on stimulus. - February 3. 2009 - WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is making another push for the economic stimulus plan being debated in the Senate, saying that with stakes so high, the nation can't afford the "same partisan gridlock."

CVS Caremark gives notice of layoffs as it closes Largo facility - February 2. 2009 - The closing of Largo CVS Caremark operations will leave 230 people without their jobs after March 31.

Entrepreneurs' conference coming Feb. 26 - February 2. 2009 - About this time last year, economic troubles were on the wind. But few imagined the ferociousness of the financial tsunami that hit world markets last fall.

Ocean Bank lays off 127 after fourth-quarter loss of $86.7 million - January 31, 2009 - Ocean Bank laid off 127 employees and posted a fourth-quarter loss of $86.7 million.

Johnson & Johnson cutting 159 jobs in Miami Lakes- January 31, 2009 - Johnson & Johnson is eliminating 159 jobs in Miami Lakes and transferring the work to Juárez, Mexico.

Economic woes boost library use for job resources - January 30, 2009 - CINCINNATI -- Since being laid off when Circuit City closed the store where he worked, Vincent Self heads to the public library every chance he gets to search for a job.

At town hall meeting, Wasserman Shultz fields questions about stimulus plan - January 29, 2009 - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, fielded questions about the $819 billion economic stimulus plan at a Miami Beach meeting.

Electronics giant NEC set to slash 20,000 jobs - January 30, 2009 - Japanese firm blames global downturn, escalating industry competition

Homelessness surges as funding falters - January 30, 2009 - Providers to the poor try to stretch meager resources to meet growing need

Obama slams Wall Street on bonuses - January 29, 2009 - President calls the $18.4 billion in bonuses paid last year 'shameful'

Florida International Business Expo offers a global platform - January 29, 2009 - The Florida International Business Expo has attracted dozens of smaller businesses with networking possibilities and minimal booth fees.

Fla. Stands To Gain Billions From Stimulus Plan - January 28, 2009 - Florida stands to gain billions of dollars from the U.S. House's stimulus plan.

Consumer confidence sinks to a new low- January 27, 2009 - Americans’ mood about economy darkened even further in Jan.

Home Depot Cuts 7,000 Jobs And Closes Expo Chain - January 26, 2009 - 37 Expo Design Centers Close Nationwide

Economists: Many More Layoffs Coming - January 26, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- It's shaping up to be another lousy year for workers, with more companies expecting to cut payrolls in the months ahead.

Democrats try to lower economic expectations - January 25, 2009 - They say despite bailout, stimulus, downturn may last for a while

Senate panel proposes $300 bonus for seniors - January 23, 2009 - WASHINGTON - Senior citizens receiving Social Security would get a bonus payment of $300 under the Senate version of President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan.

Crist praises Obama's promised stimulus package - January 23, 2009 - West Palm Beach - Gov. Charlie Crist told a crowd of 700 today the stimulus package promised by President Barack Obama offers hope on the heels of severe budget cuts.

Florida Citrus Faces Tax War - January 24, 2009 - Importers threaten federal tariff that keeps Florida citrus competitive.

Jobless rate surges in Florida, bay area - January 24, 2009 - Florida economists are growing accustomed to repeating a phrase no one likes to hear: It's worse than we thought.

Obama: Economy plan means lower power bills - January 24, 2009 - President says U.S. could 'lose a generation of potential' if action isn't taken

Downturn accelerates as it circles the globe - January 24, 2009 - Economies worse off than analysts predicted just weeks ago

Deal collapse raises questions over Worldcenter - January 24, 2009 - Builders behind a giant downtown development failed to close on an important land purchase for the project.

Florida job outlook bleaker - January 24, 2009 - The state's unemployment rate grew more than expected in December, hitting its highest point in 16 years.

New rules raise the bar for condo mortgages in Florida - January 24, 2009 - In a move that will make it even more difficult to qualify for a condo loan, Fannie Mae is putting a host of new conditions on mortgages for condominiums in Florida.

Florida jobless rate passes 8% mark, highest in 16 years - January 23, 2009 - "Florida's unemployment rate hit 8.1 percent in December, the highest rate in 16 years, the state labor department announced Friday morning.

Foreclosure Fightback - January 22, 2009 - "This is a crowd that won't scatter," James Steele wrote in the pages of The Nation some seventy-five years ago.

Poll: Inaugural boosts American hopes - January 21, 2009 - WASHINGTON — President Obama's inauguration has given a recession-battered nation a boost.

Despite billions, banks still teeter on the brink - January 21, 2009 - Wall Street waits on Obama, but no clear solution to the crisis exists

Companies make changes to stay afloat in tough economy - January 19, 2009 - To paraphrase Thomas Paine, these are the times that try business owners' souls.

U.S. economy may sputter for years - January 19, 2009 - Unemployment could be worse than now by the time President-elect Barack Obama's first term ends.

Experts fear cutting Florida's budget could worsen economy - January 18, 2009 - Fiscal paradox leaves Floridians stuck

Manny Diaz leads nation's mayors pushing for aid to cities - January 17, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- Led by Miami's Manny Diaz, mayors past and present from Boston to Seattle on Saturday hailed a proposed national economic stimulus package -- but said it should include direct aid to cities.

Circuit City closing; 30,000 to lose jobs - January 17, 2009 - Troubled electronics giant Circuit City is shutting down all of its stores, and going-out-of-business liquidation sales could begin as early as Saturday.

Florida Budget Cuts Hammer Schools & Healthcare - January 14, 2009 - State Senate Approves $2.8 Billion Budget Plan

Poll: Solid support for Obama's economic plan - January 14, 2009 - WASHINGTON - A solid plurality of the American public supports the economic stimulus plan that President-elect Barack Obama has proposed, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

Legislators Expect Deal By Monday On Budget Cuts - January 11, 2009 - Deal Made To Help Nursing Homes - New Traffic Fines, Other Changes To Help Plug Deficit

South Florida business bankruptcies highest since at least 1990 - January 6, 2009 - More South Florida businesses headed to bankruptcy court last year than at any time since at least 1990.

Crisis getting worse, lawmakers are told - January 6, 2009 - Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee to cut the state budget and close the deficit but were greeted with more bad financial news.

Hoyer: Stimulus unlikely before inauguration - January 5, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama received a rude welcome to Washington on Sunday as congressional Democrats dashed his hopes for a speedy response to the worst economic crisis in decades.

Economy tops everyone's agenda as Congress returns - January 5, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- The 111th Congress will convene this week determined to avoid the mistakes of two eras: the Great Depression and the Carter administration.

Economy is top issue facing new Congress - January 5, 2009 - The U.S. economy tops everyone's agenda as the new Congress convenes this week in Washington.

Obama says his plan with tax cuts to get quick OK - January 5, 2009 - WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama plunged into rare pre-inaugural crisis talks with congressional leaders Monday, declaring the national economy was "bad and getting worse" and embracing tax cuts now expected to reach $300 billion.

Union Credit Bank hopes to boost lending - January 5, 2009 - An old adage goes ''You can never be too rich or too thin.'' For banks these days, the saying might well be: ``You can never have too much capital.''

U.S. Debt Expected To Soar This Year - January 3, 2009 - $2 Trillion Increase May Test Federal Ability to Borrow

Obama urges parties to work together on economy - January 3, 2009 - CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday said the struggling U.S. economy could face more challenges and urged lawmakers to act quickly on recovery proposals even as some Republicans expressed concerns about plans for a huge stimulus package.

U.S. could be facing debt 'time bomb' this year - January 3, 2009 - WASHINGTON - With President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats considering a massive spending package aimed at pulling the nation out of recession, the national debt is projected to jump by as much as $2 trillion this year, an unprecedented increase that could test the world's appetite for financing U.S. government spending.

30-year rates at new low - January 1, 2009 - Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record low for the third straight week and borrowers took advantage of the drop, sending new applications soaring.

An Irresponsible Budget - - December 31, 2008 - House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater on Tuesday officially released their call for the special budget-cutting session set to start next week and it closely mirrors the trust-fund raids and cuts Gov. Charlie Crist recommended.

Economists React: Jobless Data’s Seasonal Issues - December 31, 2008 - New claims for unemployment benefits made a surprisingly large drop last week, the largest in 16 years. Initial claims for jobless benefits fell by 94,000 to a seasonally adjusted 492,000 in the week ended Dec. 27 from an unrevised 586,000 the week before. But the number of continuing claims, those drawn by workers collecting benefits for more than one week in the week ended Dec. 20, surged by 140,000 to 4,506,000. The unemployment rate for workers with unemployment insurance rose to 3.4% from 3.3%. Below, economists react to the data.

Home Prices Declined at Record Pace in October - December 31, 2008 - The decline in U.S. home prices continues to intensify as tight credit weighs on the sector and consumers remain wary about making major purchases.

A Trillion Dollar Recovery - December 31, 2008 - Poverty is on the rise, record numbers of people are relying on food stamps and we've seen no relief for the foreclosure crisis. There are increasing rates of child abuse and domestic violence linked to this recession. State governments don't have financial resources to cope at the exact moment when those resources are most needed. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have lowered Medicaid payments or eliminated people from eligibility. The senior economist of the International Monetary Fund recently warned of another Great Depression

Floridians get four hours to make budget suggestions - December 31, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE — The state Legislature will give the public a fleeting chance to sound off next week before making deep cuts in programs to patch a $2.3-billion budget deficit.

Obama's online backers key to pushing his agenda - December 30, 2008 - HONOLULU -- President-elect Barack Obama's top asset in pushing his agenda will not be his Cabinet secretaries or aides, but rather his online network. Obama's political e-mail list tops 13 million names, a digital force that the incoming White House can tap to push for his legislation, tamp down critics or bolster popular support. It's also a way for Obama to reach into every state, every city, and every neighborhood.

Loews Miami Beach set to make $50 million in renovations in down economy - December 30, 2008 - The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is planning a $50 million renovation to begin June 1 and wrap up by early November.

Alexander tells senate to ignore Crist budget solution - December 29, 2008 - IIgnore Gov. Charlie Crist’s budget recommendations that count on Seminole gambling money and make one-time cuts to day-to-day programs to cure Florida’s $2.3 billion budget gap, Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander is ordering fellow senators.

Obama adviser: Slowing economy won't halt tax cuts - December 28, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- A top adviser to President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that the country's slowing economy won't keep the new administration from fulfilling its plans for a middle-class tax cut.

Almost one in 10 Floridians on food stamps - December 28, 2008 - Unemployed and strapped for cash, Floridians are asking for state assistance to feed their families in record numbers.

Condo bust may mean more parks for Miami - December 25, 2008 - With the economy stalling any short-term development plans, Miami hopes to turn vacant properties into temporary city parks.

Refinance rates low; few qualify - December 25, 2008 - Interest rates may have reached their lowest level in nearly 40 years, but that doesn't necessarily spell relief for South Florida's struggling homeowners.

Florida DOT projects set to roll - December 25, 2008 - Obama stimulus plan would deliver $7 billion, help bring jobs to SW Fla.

Why the economy might bounce back in 2009 - December 23, 2008 - Energy prices and mortgage rates are dropping, and the Fed is making sure money is available. Plus, America's competitive strengths remain intact.

State joblessness on Gov. Crist's agenda - December 23, 2008 - Gov. tells residents to persevere amid economic recession

Lehman sale approved - December 23, 2008 - A bankruptcy judge on Monday approved the sale of Lehman Brothers' prized investment management unit to a group of managers and employees.

Walgreen profits drop - December 23, 2008 - Drugstore operator Walgreen (WAG) said its profit fell 10 percent in its fiscal first quarter because of costs in opening more than 200 new stores. The company said it plans to slow the opening of new stores to save $500 million in response to the recession.

Circuit City gets loans - December 23, 2008 - Circuit City on Monday received final approval for $1.1 billion in financing to keep operating while the nation's second-biggest electronics retailer is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Obama built Cabinet to impose ideas - December 21, 2008 - WASHINGTON - The Cabinet president-elect Barack Obama completed Friday is a largely centrist and pragmatic-minded collection of politicians and technocrats without a pronounced ideological bent.

Optimism High About Obama Policies, Poll Finds - December 21, 2008 - Majorities Concur on Economy, but Rifts Abound on Initial Priorities

Small businesses feel big credit squeeze - December 20, 2008 - Owners of small businesses like Apricot Office Supply & Furniture feel left out of all the talk of industry bailouts. They're struggling, too.

Unemployment rises - December 20, 2008 - Unemployment is increasing in Florida, but Broward and Miami-Dade are better off than many other parts of the state.

Obama moves toward unity politics - December 20, 2008 - Democrats have complained for years about bitter partisan politics under George Bush. They blame it on Bush even though, logically, it takes two sides to produce a standoff. Now some Dems are irked at Barack Obama for giving his administration a big-tent look with moderates in the cabinet and elsewhere.

Burst bubble pushes Florida jobless rate to 15-year high - December 20, 2008 - Normally, Florida’s jobless rate falls in November as the holiday hiring season gears up. But, as President Bush said this morning, these aren’t normal times.

Unemployment Inches Up - December 20, 2008 - Unemployment in Florida inched up three-tenths of a percent in November. 680,000 Floridians are now out of work. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, there are now 200,000 more Floridians out of work than there were a year ago.

Spending cuts, gambling pact at heart of state budget plan - December 19, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers can fill a $2.3-billion budget hole by trimming government spending, nearly emptying savings accounts and approving a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, according to a draft document approved by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Miami vigil honors the memory of 121 dead homeless people - December 19, 2008 - Several dozen people paid tribute to the 121 homeless people who died in Miami-Dade County in the past year.

Economists: Florida's economic slide to continue; won't see turnaround until 2010- December 18, 2008 - Florida's economy is going to get worse before it gets better, and lawmakers will have to deal with a $2.3 billion shortfall to balance the $66 billion budget, economists told lawmakers Wednesday.

States Squeeze Cities, Spreading the Economic Pain - December 18, 2008 - The worst budget crisis in decades is forcing states to cut funding to cash-strapped cities, which already are slashing police, firefighters and other services.

Ohio's largest county aims to fight foreclosures - December 18, 2008 - COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's largest county is about to embark on an experiment in which government becomes the owner of foreclosed and abandoned properties, fixes them up and turns them back over to private owners.

More Americans feel downturn's pain, poll finds - December 17, 2008 - 63 percent are hurting, think U.S. has entered long-term economic decline

Fla. Legislature Meeting In 2009 To Slash Budget - December 15, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ― In today's economy of budget shortfalls at the private and public level, many experts predicted Florida's legislature would hold a special session to deal with a budget deficit of millions, and Monday the announcement was made official.

States’ Funds for Jobless Are Drying Up - December 14, 2008 - With unemployment claims reaching their highest levels in decades, states are running out of money to pay benefits, and some are turning to the federal government for loans or increasing taxes on businesses to make the payment

White House says no auto deal is imminent - December 14, 2008 - Bush administration to consider using $700 billion bailout to help industry

Fed appears ready to cut key interest rate again - December 14, 2008 - Central bank’s leaders will begin a two-day meeting on Monday

Number of foreclosure filings in Florida among nation's highest - December 13, 2008 - In November, Florida again had the nation's second-highest number of properties with foreclosure filings, RealtyTrac said in a report.

RealtyTrac: Foreclosures to rise in January - December 11, 2008 - The number of American homeowners dragged into the housing crisis fell last month to the lowest level since June as new state laws lengthened the foreclosure process, RealtyTrac reported Thursday.

$14 billion auto bailout bill clears the House - December 10, 2008 - White house lobbies GOP; Tough Senate battle for loan program remains

Welfare Exploding in Fla. Due To Economy - December 9, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida's top welfare official said public aid has exploded in the past 19 months due to the slumping economy.

Dems, White House Work On Auto Bailout Bill - December 7, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- Congressional Democrats and the White House are trying to resolve remaining differences over a $15 billion rescue for Detroit automakers.

Gov. Crist Announces $11.5 Million To Help Florida Homeowners - December 8, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Governor Charlie Crist announced Monday that Florida has received nearly $11.5 million to continue providing statewide foreclosure prevention counseling and legal assistance to homeowners in foreclosure.

Bernanke spells out housing crisis steps - December 7, 2008 - As housing problems contaminate financial markets and the economy, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke called for aggressive steps to end the housing slump.

Economic woes threaten legal aid nationwide - December 7, 2008 - SEATTLE -- The day before Maria Nunes fled Florida for Seattle, her abusive husband beat her unconscious. She had already divorced him, which made the Jamaica native vulnerable to deportation because she depended on her marriage for her legal residency in the United States.

Legacy of tainted home loans: vacancy, vandalism, foreclosure - December 7, 2008 - Hundreds of MiamiDade homes financed by a now imprisoned lender have gone into the foreclosure process, and many are blighted.

Todays message reinforces previously stated need to get ready: "use it or lose it" - December 6, 2008 - Are our Republican representatives listening?

Job loss worst in 34 years - December 6, 2008 - In a sign the recession is deepening, employers slashed 533,000 jobs in November, the biggest 1-month loss since '74

Home seizures sharply higher - December 6, 2008 - Foreclosures in Florida worsened in the third quarter as 90,000 more homes hit the auction gurney.

White House, Democrats reach deal on $15 billion auto aid - December 5, 2008 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic leaders and the White House reached a deal to provide billions of dollars in relief to the ailing U.S. auto industry, a senior congressional aide told Reuters on Friday.

The Big 3 make another pitch - December 5, 2008 - Having learned their lesson last month, a chastened group of automakers again approached Congress for a bailout. Whether they will get it remains unclear.

Miami-Dade makes lenders maintain foreclosures - December 5, 2008 - Miami-Dade passed new local laws this week to rein in rot on abandoned homes and protect buyers.

Low-interest housing loans urged - December 5, 2008 - The head of the government's financial system rescue effort said Thursday the Treasury Department is considering a program to encourage banks to make mortgage loans at low rates to help revive the battered housing market.

Economic news getting worse; unemployment up, spending down - November 27, 2008 - Four new reports made it clear what bad shape the nation's economy is in.

Obama: 'Help is on the way' for economy - November 26, 2008 - President-elect names Volcker to head economic advisers team

With Florida in hole, lawmakers could fold on Indian casinos deal - November 26, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE - Florida's multibillion-dollar budget deficit is forcing Republican legislative leaders to reconsider their opposition to a deal that Gov. Charlie Crist struck last year to expand tribal gambling.

Budget trouble ahead for state - November 26, 2008 - MANATEE — More than three months remain before next year’s legislative session, but state lawmakers from this area are already thinking about how to reshape government from the top down in response to the nationwide economic crisis.

New economic team poised to take reins - November 25, 2008 - OUR OPINION: President-elect wise to deal quickly with widening economic crisis

South Florida home sales up, prices down in October - November 25, 2008 - As South Florida home prices dropped, sales perked up in October. The problem? It could take years to clear the huge inventory of unsold homes on the market.

Time is money for Obama economic team - November 25, 2008 - President-elect Barack Obama named his economic team and said it will work quickly to develop a recovery plan, which will likely include a massive stimulus package.

Housing is bad enough, but wait — it'll get worse - November 24, 2008 - WASHINGTON — If you think the housing slump can't get much worse, Martin Feldstein thinks that both home prices and the broader economy can — and very likely will — get a whole lot worse.

Economy's tumble even worse than expected in 3Q- November 24, 2008 - WASHINGTON -- The economy took a tumble in the summer that was worse than first thought as American consumers throttled back their spending by the most in 28 years, further proof the country is almost certainly in the throes of a painful recession.