1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent, current federal employee, and a former state employee who has witnessed firsthand the shortcomings of our unemployment system. I even worked briefly for the state’s unemployment office during the pandemic, where I was paid so little that I had to leave for private-sector work just to afford Florida’s skyrocketing housing costs. Given the current administration’s blatant dismantling of federal institutions and funding, I am deeply concerned about how the State of Florida plans to step up and fill the growing gaps in governance. With federal agencies facing budget cuts, staffing shortages, and outright neglect, what is Florida doing to address the fallout? Specifically: • Federal Employee Job Losses: As federal agencies shrink and private-sector businesses dependent on federal funds start laying off employees, what is Florida doing to support newly unemployed workers? Our unemployment system is already insufficient—how will it handle an influx of displaced workers? Will the state increase benefits or improve access to job retraining programs? • State Employee Wages & Cost of Living: Even Florida’s own state employees are struggling to make ends meet. How do you justify keeping state salaries so low when housing and other costs have skyrocketed? If even government workers can’t afford to live here, how do you expect to attract and retain qualified public servants? • Education & Public Services: With federal funding cuts affecting education, food safety inspections, and veterans’ services, what is Florida’s plan to ensure these critical services don’t deteriorate further? Will the state allocate additional resources, or will Floridians be left to fend for themselves? • Consumer Protections: The gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau leaves Floridians vulnerable to fraud, predatory lending, and corporate abuse. Will the state establish stronger consumer protection laws, or will Floridians have nowhere to turn when insurers, banks, and scammers take advantage of them? Instead of spending another minute chasing down culture war distractions, Florida’s leadership must address these urgent economic realities. The federal government is abdicating its responsibilities—if "leaving it to the states" is truly the plan, then Florida lawmakers need to get to work. I look forward to your response detailing the concrete steps Florida is taking to mitigate the damage.