August 23, 2011. Important information all FAU faculty need to know about FRS, DROP

Dear Educator:

During this year’s legislative session, the leadership of the Florida Legislature
produced a budget that makes our state much, much worse for educators, public
schools and students. Rather than working to create jobs and bring down one
of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, Governor Scott and legislative
leaders pushed through politically motivated changes to our education system,
including forcing a 3% pay cut for all educators.

The Florida Education Association opposed this measure as it was moving through
the Legislature and, now that it’s passed, we took the next step by filing a lawsuit
challenging this provision. Not only does this provision help pay for a budget that
slashes public education funding in favor of increasing corporate tax credits, we
believe it is also in violation of the Florida Constitution.

The FEA will not rest until this provision is overturned. We will not stand for having
the budget balanced on the backs of educators and other public employees, and we
will not allow an unconstitutional change to all educators’ contracts.

Sincerely,

Andy Ford
FEA President

An Unconstitutional Pay Cut

The Legislature violated the Florida
Constitution by mandating that educators
give up 3 percent of their salaries to be
funneled into the Florida Retirement System.
These types of unilateral plan changes
violate the contracts of educators.

A Healthy System

Though the state of Florida is running
a budget deficit, the Florida Retirement
System is one of the most fiscally sound
state retirement systems in the country. The
money derived from the 3-percent salary cut
is not needed to shore up the system – it’s
the governor playing political games with
our retirements.

Corporate Tax Breaks on
the Backs of Educators

This pay cut was used by legislative
leadership to make up a budget shortfall
and provide additional tax breaks for
corporations on the backs of educators and
all other public employees.

The Florida Retirement System has advisors available to work with members of FRS at no charge. If you
are considering changes to your status before the new laws take place, please be sure to contact them at
(866) 446-9377, Monday through Friday from 9 am – 8 pm EST. www.MyFRS.com

For more information download the Changes to FRS Fast Facts Sheet (pdf) by clicking here.