As lawmakers talk through budget details in the run up to the legislative sessions, state employees are wondering how the spending plan might impact them and their pay checks.
Every year, employees working for the state of Florida hope the budget might include a bump in their bottom line. Most years that wish falls short. But this year, lawmakers aren’t ruling it out completely. Here’s Senate President Andy Gardiner speaking with reporters.
“You know we certainly have started some dialogue specifically on that. I mean obviously the forest fire fighters last year that salary increase was vetoed. My hope is we can come back and resolve that,” Gardiner says.
Gardiner is referring to a plan lawmakers approved last legislative session that would have given forest fire-fighters a $2-thousand raise. Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the move. But Gardiner isn’t the only one pushing for the increase again this year. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is requesting the funds in his latest budget proposal. Putnam told reporters the pay bump makes sense.
“They are deserving of this increase. They put themselves at risk to protect lives and property in our state and I hope that we can work that through the process to a successful conclusion this year,” Putnam says.
Meanwhile Scott has another plan when it comes to state employees. The governor’s budget proposal includes a provision that would require all state employees to pay the same price for their health insurance coverage. For some employees that could mean paying more. But he’s also got a plan to increase pay for some employees.
“I put in my budget a bonus plan for state workers. It will be up to $1,500. It will be tied to the agency hitting their goals, you hitting your goals and the agency trying to find savings,” Scott says.
Lawmakers will take the issue up when the legislative session starts in January.
