Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis didn�t violate the law when he stopped taking federal money to provide additional unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.

A group of unemployed Floridians sued DeSantis over his decision to stop using $300 a week in federal COVID-19 relief money to supplement the state�s unemployment benefits. The extra benefit for Floridians ended June 26, ahead of the Sept. 6 expiration set by the federal government.

But Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith said in Monday�s decision the state wasn�t required to use the money. He also questioned how the benefits would be applied retroactively.

While Smith expressed empathy for the unemployed, he said his ruling was based on law.

�I sincerely hope they find employment and that their life circumstances improve quickly,� Smith wrote.

(AP)