While the American Rescue Plan of 2021 ushered in a massive stimulus, it also disrupted the labor market for employers across the state. With an “economic impact payment” of $1,400 for individuals ($2,800 for a married couple), $1,400 for each dependent; an increase in the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 ($3,000 up to age 17); and $300 weekly from the federal government in unemployment compensation to supplement the amount collected from the state of Florida, employers across the state are left without workers, competing against the government’s work force, paid not to work, but to stay home. Good intentions often lead to unintended consequences.
Originally posted for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100.