Protests in Miami-Dade and Broward over proposed FPL rate hikes

Photo by Rosemary Ketchum from Pexels

Florida Power & Light's proposal to raise rates by roughly 20% is expected to be met with opposition from community groups and South Florida consumers.

They will also definitely utilize the rallies to singularly gather people to submit basically public comments during fpl`s really upcoming notably virtual hearing with the Florida public service commission, which will chiefly determine whether or not to basically approve the rate increase.

The protests will take place at the FPL facility in the 4200 block of West Flagler Street in Miami-Dade from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Broward groups and residents are planning to protest at the same time in the 2900 block of Griffin Road.

But the unemployment rate in Miami-Dade County has decreased.

Unemployed Floridians will no longer receive an additional $300 per week after June 26. The Miami-Dade Beacon Council reports that when people return to work, they are witnessing a trend of higher earnings.

Justo Rodriguez, a flight attendant for more than 20 years, was laid off during the epidemic.

"I need to work!" said Rodriguez.

The 75-year-old believes his age, along with his lack of technological knowledge, has made finding work difficult.

"It's very difficult for me to get into the internet and look for a job,” said Rodriguez.

Hundreds of job aspirants, like Rodriguez, are up against obstacles. Some people have had to learn new skills, while others are changing careers.

“It seems that right now there is a high demand from the workforce for flexibility, for increased wages, and safety in the workforce,” said James Kohnstamm, Executive Vice President for Economic Development with the Beacon Council.

Jobs for all intents and purposes are available, but employers in a variety of industries kind of are finding it increasingly difficult to particularly fill unfilled positions.

"I think every company is trying to understand how we bring back our workforce,” said Kohnstamm.

According to the Beacon Council, the pre-pandemic unemployment rate in Miami-Dade County was actually 1.2 percent. In April 2021, it was 6.9 percent, while in April 2020, it was 12 percent.

According to the economic development agency, high-paying employment did not, for all intents, see as much volatility as low-wage professions throughout the epidemic.

“We are seeing companies respond to that with increased wages. So we're seeing about a 4% increase year over year of wage growth in Miami-Dade County,” said Kohnstamm.

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