Florida workers spared in Gov. Crist’s proposed budget
Jan 31, 2010
by Bill Cotterell
TALLAHASSEE — State employees would not face layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts or increases in their insurance premiums this year if state legislators adopt personnel provisions of the $69.2 billion state budget that Gov. Charlie Crist proposed on Friday.
But Crist’s plan does cut about 1,000 authorized positions — about 600 of those are vacant now.
“We don’t have any layoffs and we don’t have any furloughs,” said Crist, pointing to budget director Jerry McDaniel at his side, “because he’s really smart and I asked him not to, and we got it done.”
House and Senate leaders are skeptical.
“Unfortunately, we’re already seeing layoffs and furloughs in school districts,” said state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. “Out here on the ground, people are losing their jobs. I hope the governor’s numbers and assumptions are correct but the information given to us by state economists suggest a more realistic picture, I’m afraid.”
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island and chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee shared Gaetz’s pessimism.
“We’ve got to remember whose government this is,” said Haridopolos. “If the people are going through tough times and losing jobs, state employees are going to be in the same boat.”
There is no money provided for pay raises. But McDaniel budget language could allow agencies to grant raises or one-time bonuses for exceptional work, if money remains from cuts in operating costs.
McDaniel said the budget would have a net loss of about 400 filled positions, mostly in the Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Corrections.
Employee advocates in Tallahassee voiced relief.
“Layoffs of any size would hurt our recovering economy,” said Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee.
Jeanette Wynn, state president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said she was “elated” that Crist’s recommendations avoided salary cuts, layoffs and increases in insurance premiums.
About 27,000 state workers do not pay health-insurance premiums. Some lawmakers have said it’s time that all employees — including lawmakers themselves and top managers — begin paying for coverage.
“Should there be a greater deductible, should employees have to participate in a more significant way from their own personal finances?” said Crist. “I just felt philosophically that this not the right time to do that to people.”
Reprinted from the Fort Myers News-Press
Notes from Senator Mike
07/07/2010 - Read Sen. Haridopolos’ Letter to US Sen. Bill NelsonWith record unemployment, Floridians have had their problems compounded by the coming bill for health care “reform,” the absence of support for a space program that employs thousands, and the federal government’s slow response to the economic impacts of the oil spill. Florida deserves better.
