March 31, 2011. Is this the worst legislative session ever? FEA won’t keep quiet! House Committee passes legislation requiring 3% “income tax” on state workers
Day 27 of the 2011 Legislative Session
(March 30, 2011)
It occurred to FEA staff when chatting with former FEA staff (current Pinellas CTA/ESPA Executive Director Marshall Ogletree) that in 30 years there has never been a legislative session as bad as this one. Why is it so bad? Perhaps 12 years of one party’s control of the Governor’s Mansion and the Legislature has gone to their heads. The 2010 election opened the gates for politicians to trample the legislative process, our children’s’ future and our rights. The old saying “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” comes to mind… but that’s not even the problem. It’s the arrogance permeating everything they do.
They think they know what is right for students, teachers, ESPs, working Floridians, the poor, the sick, and the elderly. They think the rest of us just need to sit down and keep quiet. The FEA is here to tell them: WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO KEEP QUIET! FEA will continue to walk the halls of Florida’s Capitol until the final moments of session. We will continue to fight for your rights and the future well-being of your students. We are closing in on the half-way mark of the 2011 Legislative Session. Stay vigilant and keep the pressure on your legislators.
House Committee passes FRS ‘reform’ bill
The House Appropriations Committee passed HB 1405 by Rep. Workman by a party line vote once again, with all Republicans voting for the bill and all Democrats against.
· The bill changes the name of the FRS defined benefit program to the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan. It also changes the name of the defined contribution program from the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program to the Florida Retirement System Investment Plan.
· Requires a 3 percent employee contribution for members of all classes of the FRS pension plan and investment plan.
· Closes the Deferred Retirement Option Program to new participants.
· Increases the retirement age and years of service for members of the FRS who initially enroll on or after July 1, 2011.
This bill forces workers to pay 3 percent into their state pension plan won approval on its final stop in the House appropriations Committee, the final stop before the floor debate. The bill sponsored by Rep. Mitch Workman passed on a party-line vote
Rep. Ron Saunders, the House’s Democratic leader, said the bill would make public workers the only ones in Florida subject to what is essentially an income tax, “If that’s not an income tax, show me what an income tax is.”
Some of you have been asking about SB 1130 – the Senate version of FRS reform. That bill is virtually gone – no need to follow it at this point. The Senate version is now SB 7094, part of the budget discussions.
Questions? Call FEA Public Policy Advocacy at 850.224.2078