<>/Metadata 242 0 R/ViewerPreferences 243 0 R>> But the study found that families in Florida were hit harder than any other state. Ausley represents more than 19,000 state employees in Leon and Gadsden counties. The Florida Senate on Friday announced a plan to raise the minimum wage for state employees to $15 an hour, an initiative led by Senate President Wilton Simpson, who also wants to hike pay for school bus drivers and other school vendors. 10 big issues to watch in Floridas 2023 legislative session, 5 highlights from DeSantis book, The Courage to Be Free, Florida bill would outlaw treatments for transgender youth, prevent insurance coverage, DeSantis says he supports open carry in audio recorded from gun rights group, DeSantis takes his culture war to Texas Gov. C) Pay raises for PBA's state bargaining unit members are completed. The 12 school districtstargeted in the House's original proposal were looking to get the $200 million penalty removed from the state's school funding system. The Governor doesnt like to mention this, but Floridas budget includes nearly $40 billion in federal money this year. It would take a pay increase of about $13,500/year or 45.8% to bring the buying power of the median state employee salary back to its 1987 level. Sharkey said the Leon delegation did secure money for the countys top priority, $400,000 to improve grading around Fred George Sink and capture debris to protect Wakulla Springs. I am proud to be an educator and we have certainly come a long way. The study compared employee health insurance costs, including insurance premiums and deductibles. The Legislature is set to approve the budget, and end its legislative session, on Monday. The raises are are in addition to previously approved pay increases set to take effect next year, which would bring all employee pay to at least $13 an hour. All rights reserved. He previously reported for Fresh Take Florida, a news service that covers the Florida Legislature and state political stories operating out of UFs College of Journalism and Communications. Its unfortunate that despite having record cash to work with, we couldnt do more for Floridians struggling with a housing crisis and global inflation, said Rep. Fentrice Driskell, the incoming leader of the House Democrats. It would take a pay increase of about $13,500/year or 45.8% to bring the buying power of the median state employee salary back to its 1987 level. High deductible plans also are accompanied by tax-free health savings accounts. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, fought for initiatives aimed at strengthening fatherhood in Florida. Not sure how much this has penalized us. As lawmakers craft the 2022-23 state budget, the House and Senate are pushing to boost pay for state employees, local school staffers and certain health care workers. STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTERS-STATE HOSPITALS. Since 2005, the Legislature has not appropriated any funds for university pay increases. Copyright 2000- 2023 State of Florida. The Gadsden EOC and Sheriffs office is currently housed in a 30-year-old building that does not meet hurricane building codes and lacks space to house all agencies needed during an emergency. Employees in Florida paid more for their health insurance in 2020 than workers in nearly every other state, a new study from The Commonwealth Fund found. AFSCME Florida's state workers reached a tentative agreement with state management for a five percent across-the-board wage increase, which would be implemented July 1, 2023, with additional raises for positions considered hard to staff. Many teachers are dedicated to their profession, but can have a difficult time purchasing a home, paying student loans, and providing for their families. The budget is 10.4 percent higher than last years $101.5 billion budget, which would be the largest one-year increase in at least a decade, according to data from Florida TaxWatch. Then there is the Catch 22 for the Health Insurance Subsidy Tax Exclusion. And funding for streetlights in Midway, a police station in Chattahoochee and a maternal health program in Havana.. And employees working for state vendors, such as nursing home attendants, also will get pay increases. Existing Florida law enforcement officers will also receive a 5% pay raise or have their salary increased to $50,000. If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022, except where otherwise expressly provided. Losing this funding next year will put pressure on these facilities.. Republicans have said they chose October, a month before statewide elections, because there are typically fewer tourists in the state at that time. Mr. Wood, the +\- 35% pay increases handed out to executive leaders at FDOT by Governor DeSantis recently would make for good reading and education materials for your audience should you choose to look into that and write about it. Meanwhile, the health insurance recommendations in DeSantis proposed budget run afoul of Sen. Jeff Brandes desire to remodel the state group health insurance program in the next fiscal year. The other half is meant to boost the pay for veteran educators who already make above the base salary. More than a half dozen local projects, however, did get approvedalong with the pay raise for state workers, soAusley said overall, This is a great budget for North Florida. I think that is going to help our state as a whole, said Senate Appropriations chairperson Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. The journals or printed bills of the respective chambers should be consulted for official purposes. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. The current agriculture commissioner, Democrat Nikki Fried, is running to challenge DeSantis for governor. May 6, 2022 Updated May 7, 2022 0 As part of House Bill 1, also known as the executive branch budget, state employees will receive an 8% across-the-board raise in the next fiscal year.. DeSantis wish for $50 million for a job growth grant fund was approved. Lawmakers have assigned $3.5 billion in federal dollars for various projects in the next fiscal year, with the biggest piece about $1.4 billion going to construction and maintenance for the states colleges and universities. The budget includes that money, as well as $2 million for long-acting, reversible birth control for low-income women another Simpson priority. The budget deal uses $800 million in federal funding for environmental spending, including $300 million to allow the Department of Agriculture to expand the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. One reason the states health insurance costs are so high is because Floridas employers are not covering as much of the costs as employers in other parts of the country, said Sara Collins, the studys lead author and a vice president for Commonwealth. The cost of groceries rose 8.5 percent over the past year. State retirement says the subsidy exclusion is only given to the person who has the insurance deducted from their benefit. The $800 million is a $250 million increase over last years funding, and brings Floridas investments in teacher pay to greater than $2 billion since the 2020 Legislative Session. TALLAHASSEE In what would be by far the largest budget in state history, legislators on Thursday released a record $112.1 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that includes more than $1 billion for pay raises for state workers and contractors. Questions? Even though his Retiree annual statement says that the HIS benefit is not a part of his Florida Retirement System pension, it is counted as such on his 1099. Weve put words into action by replacing Common Core, eliminating the Florida Standards Assessment, and working with our close friends in the Florida Legislature to secure $800 million in state funding to provide teachers a well-deserved pay increase. DeSantis budget also puts a freeze on any changes to employee health benefits, either in benefit design or cost. STAFF LOGIN, Gov. Florida lawmakers have passed a $112.1 billion state budget containing pay raises for state workers and a gas tax suspension, striking a bipartisan agreement that closed a session. Certainly, we were not advised about this Catch 22 when he was added to my retiree health plan. stream We highlight the stories of Black Floridians seeking emotional healing and wellness. Political editor Emily L. Mahoney will send you a rundown on local, state and national politics coverage every Thursday. The money will be used to regrade five acreswetland to prevent debris from flowing into Fred George Sink on to Wakulla Springs. Brandes, now chair of the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee, wants to steer more state employees into high deductible health plans. Ron DeSantis signed Thursday, What was cut from Florida's budget? We know from some of our survey data that people struggle to pay their health care costs by making trade offs with other parts of their budgets, less on food, maybe different housing, delaying getting education, Collins said. With the Texas Juvenile Justice Department having a turnover rate of 29.8% and the Health Human Services Commission at 27.9%. While lawmakers have been mired in grueling, emotional fights over abortion and other hot-button topics during this years legislative session, their proposed budget received little criticism. This is a budget that will serve our state for generations to come, Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said in a statement. Please see the memorandum regarding the 2021-2022 base salary increase and 3% bonus for In . PAY RAISE 2019: Dont leave out university workers appropriate funds for a university employees pay raise! He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Florida Gov. I am constantly thinking of things to help teach them and it is nice to be appreciated and be respected., There is a nationwide teacher shortage, as fewer students enter the college of education programs with the goal of becoming an educator, said David Broskie, Superintendent, School District of Clay County. DeSantis budget also allocates $75.4 million to increase the base rate of more than 4,500 sworn law enforcement officers, $124.2 million to increase the base rate pay for correctional probation officers and inspectors who work for the Department of Corrections, and another $15.9 million to the department to implement an employee retention plan. Pay Period Beginning: Pay Period Ending: Warrant Date: 12/23/2022 01/05/23 01/13/23 01/06/23 01/19/23 01/27/23 . 1 0 obj In K-12 education, negotiators reached general agreement on an almost $385-per-student increase in school funding an almost 5% boost that would bring funding to an average $8,143 for each of Florida's 2.9 million school kids. Our members deserve annual raises like this one so that state employment pays living wages and continues to be a sustainable career option for professionals, said Vicki Hall, president of Florida AFSCME. 2023. Ron DeSantis signed Thursday isa qualified success for Tallahassee and Leon County. But lawmakers have reduced that amount, targeting $209.5 million for housing initiatives, but limiting rental assistance efforts to about $100 million, with another $100 million establishing a hometown heroes program helping first responders, teachers and nurses with down payment assistance. State Auditors report states that the top 3 reasons for leaving are retirement, better pay/benefits and poor working conditions. James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. The total cost of the plan is $1 . Phone: (727) 642-3162 But we also need to get at the root, which are the high costs that make health care so expensive for everyone. But he, along with Ausley and Tant said the big prize was the state worker pay raise. Ultimately, Gov. Butstill to be settled is more than $300 million in environmental spending earmarked by the Senate for the states rural and family lands program under the Agriculture Department. At an overall average of 19.3% across state agencies, Texas agencies are at the breaking point. Elections - $16.2 million GR and TF - includes: Additional Positions for Voter Registration Activities - $1.1 million; 15.0 positions, Office of Election Crimes and Security Investigators - $1.1 million; 15.0 positions, Florida Voter Registration System Modernization Feasibility Study - $450,000, Grants to Supervisors of Elections for Cyber Security - $8 million, Memorial for Champlain Towers South - $1.0 million, New Artifacts Curation Facility - $13.8 million SFRF, Local Transportation Initiatives (Road Fund) Projects - $498.6 million, Innovative Grant Program for Transportation Disadvantaged - $4 million, Commercial Driver License Training, Testing, and Licensing - $500,000, New Positions - 11.0 positions; $1.2 million GR, Urban Search and Rescue Teams Training and Equipment Grants - $10 million GR, Mobile Home Tie-Down Program Increased Funding - $7 million GR, Open Federally Declared Disaster (FEMA reimbursement and pass-through) - $1.5 billion, Community Recovery, Preparedness, and Critical Facilities Projects - $30.8 million GR, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program/Wildlife Corridors - $300 million, Emergency Wildfire Management - $93.8 million, Wildfire Suppression Equipment/Aircraft - $42.7 million, Florida Forest Service Aerial Protection Program - $15 million, Road/Bridge and Facility Maintenance - $8.4 million, Citrus Protection and Research - 5 positions and $16.6 million, Lake Okeechobee Agriculture Projects - $5 million, Florida Agriculture Promotion Campaign - $19 million, Licensing Concealed Weapons Program - 25 positions and $1.7 million, Feeding Programs/Farm Share/Feeding Florida - $15.1 million, Agriculture Education and Promotion Facilities - $31.8 million, Building Repair and Maintenance - $1.5 million, Water Quality Improvements - $782.4 million, Staffing for Environmental Permitting - 33 positions and $3.3 million, Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvements - $20 million, Septic Upgrade Incentive Program - $10 million, Non-Point Source Planning Grants - $10 million, Water Restoration Assistance Staff - 25 positions and $3 million, Flood and Sea-Level Rise Program - $470.9 million, Water Quality Improvements - Blue Green Algae Task Force - $10.8 million, Innovative Technology Grants for Harmful Algal Blooms - $15 million, Resilient Florida Program - 25 positions and $2.4 million, Florida Forever Programs and Land Acquisition - $168.7 million, Florida Recreational Development Assistance Grants - $10.7 million, Green Heart of the Everglades Acquisition - $35 million GR, Rattlesnake Key Acquisition - $23 million GR, Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern - $20 million, Petroleum Tanks Cleanup Program - $180 million, Hazardous Waste and Dry Clean Site Cleanup - $40 million, Beach Management Funding Assistance - $50 million, Drinking Water Revolving Loan Program - $202.6 million, Wastewater Revolving Loan Program - $264.8 million, Water Infrastructure Improvements - $178.9 million, Small County Wastewater Treatment Grants - $12 million, Land and Water Conservation Grants - $13.5 million, State Parks Maintenance and Repairs - $239.5 million, Customer Experience Modernization - $4.4 million, Florida Planning, Accounting & Ledger Management (PALM) Project - $45.7 million, Information Technology Upgrades to Software, Hardware, and Equipment - $7.7 million, Florida Firefighter Cancer Research - $2.0 million, Local Government Fire and Firefighter Services - $46.3 million, Law Enforcement Positions, Equipment, Training and Enhancements - 12 positions and $4.3million, Marine Fisheries Recovery Grant Program - $2.5 million, Law Enforcement Equipment Replacement - $12.7 million, Law Enforcement Enhanced Patrol and Support - 12 positions and $2.6 million, FWC Buildings Maintenance and Repair - $4.2 million, Boating Infrastructure and Improvement Program - $7.2 million, Nuisance and Invasive Species Response - $2 million, Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration - $3.2 million, Land Use Planning Program - 10 positions and $0.8 million, Increased Payments Related to Ticket Purchases - $6.7 million, Florida Facilities Pool (FFP) Fixed Capital Outlay - 16 positions and $61.8 million, Capitol Complex Renovations and Repairs - $115 million, State Emergency Operations Center - $80 million, Department of Corrections Facilities Master Plan - $5 million, Division of Retirement Critical Workload - 20 positions and $2.4 million, Executive Aircraft Program - 17 positions and $30.8 million, Cybersecurity - 8 positions and $119.2 million, Cloud Modernization and Migration - $163.4 million, Northwest Regional Data Center (NWRDC)/State Data Center - $20 million, State Data Center Contract with NWRDC - 7 positions and $1 million, Fiscally Constrained Counties - $38.8 million. According to the Department of Management services, the average pay among Career Services employees is $37,668, while the statewideaverage is $51,000. High deductible plans have lower monthly premiums, but employees are required to pay more out of pocket costs for their health care. The LCSO Behavioral Health and Occupational Wellness Program requested the grant to develop a mental health resiliency initiative to assist smaller partner agencies in surrounding counties. The study suggested solutions to the national problems, such as expanding Medicaid eligibility and providing more subsidies for insurance plans on the Affordable Care Acts marketplace. This is just the amount to offset the increased cost of living not covered by past pay increases we have received. An Edward R. Murrow Award-winning series explores the high costs of the pandemic for children and young adults. So it's really a perfect storm for high cost burdens.. 2 0 obj No state workers will make less than $15 per hour. But the two chambers. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport, Florida's Legislative Session and how it works. The state included nearly $85 million in extra funding for certain childrens hospitals such as Johns Hopkins All Childrens in St. Petersburg. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? In 2020, the average starting salary for a teacher in Florida was $40,000 (26th in the nation), and with todays funding, it will now be at least $47,000 (9th in the nation). With more money spent on insurance theres less room for workers to spend on other necessities, Collins said. University. Florida State According to the Department of Management services, the average pay among Career Services employees is $37,668, while the statewide average is $51,000. James Call in the Tallahassee Democrat reports on the "historic" raises in the state budget, thanks to AFSCME advocacy and member activism. Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami appears to have lost out on more than $71 million with that decision. Districts lose dollars because of masks: GOP lawmaker aims to strip state funding from school districts that defied Gov. Regardless of which type of health plan they enroll in, state employees can choose their level of coverage. Disclaimer: The information on this system is unverified. It was the first such pay bump in 12 years for Florida's state workers, . endobj Ron DeSantis will have final say over how much the state spends in the 2022-23 fiscal year. "/> The states employees who opted for single coverage averaged the third highest rates in the nation $1,811. ", PublishedJanuary 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM EST. On top of that, employees saw big cost increases in dependent health care coverage, meaning state employees actually saw their take home pay decrease. St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. Copyright, 2022-2023 Salary Increase and Minimum Wage Pay Adjustment for In-Unit & Out-of-Unit Staff, : State University System Free Expression Statement, Florida Board of Governors Statement of Free Expression. Correctional & Probation Officer pay increases are as follows:. About 9 p.m.Tuesday, Trumbull and Stargel sent a memo to fellow lawmakersacknowledging that they wouldn't make a midnight deadline in time fora constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period before lawmakerscanvote on the budget by Friday'slast scheduled day of the 2022 session. All state workers will see across-the-board 5.38 percent pay raises. 4 things to know. 2022. Tallahassee, FL 32306, FSU Directory Assistance endobj For state employees, the minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour. Direct support professionals who work in State Supported Living Centers / State Hospitals have a turnover rate of 53.5%. We have invested more than $2 billion in teacher pay, and with rising inflation, this could not come at a better time. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. Theyre also spending federal money on arts and culture: $30.3 million for African American cultural historical grants, $13.8 million to build a state artifact facility and $10 million for cultural facilities grants. %PDF-1.7 All hospitals are facing a serious staffing crunch and significant inflation in the cost of everything they do, said Justin Senior, CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. ATallahassee initiative that provides scholarships to acquire GEDs, high school diplomas and to attend college or technical and vocational schools. But how long is needed to finish the budget workappears to be an unknown at the moment. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | The Florida Freedom Budget directs DMS to ensure benefits currently under the various health insurance plans remain the same through June 30, 2023. Questions? Ron DeSantis ' proposed nearly $100 billion spending plan would provide an average 4% pay increase for state employees and. Search Gov. Jim Justice has proposed 5% pay raises for state employees and public school teachers. Ron DeSantis will have the ultimate say over how much the state spends in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Please see the attached memorandum regarding the 2022-2023 Salary Increase and Minimum Wage Pay Adjustment for In-Unit & Out-of-Unit Staff. According to the Division of State Group Insurance in the Department of Management Services, the annual family premium for the state group health insurance plan was $21,973, as of July 1. DeSantis' veto list, Thats kind of crushing. Lawmakers cut the bulk of a $309 million fund for hospitals that serve the states poorest and sickest Medicaid patients. Florida State University Floridas health insurance deductibles or the amount an employee has to pay before the insurance kicks in averaged $2,147, placing it among the 14th highest in the nation. DeSantis had called for pouring about $355 million into construction, home-buying and rent relief efforts. He is on my State Retirement health insurance plan. Annual salary includes applicable employee pay additives (i.e., competitive area differential, trainer, hazardous duty, temporary special duty, legislative approved, critical market pay, and leadworker), but does not include overtime or other incentive payments. The Consumer Price Index rose by 7.9 percent through February, the fastest pace of annual inflation in 40 years. [1] Local revenues include required and discretionary local effort for the public schools and tuition and fees for workforce, colleges, and universities. State employees could see a 4% pay bump. By, Move to take the wood stork off a federal endangered list is putting environmental groups at odds, Environmentalists object to bills they say undercut development, conservation goals, Bill Before Florida Senate Would Put Local Ordinances on Hold if Challenged, Legislation would make it illegal for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender youths, Barbara Bryant, the first woman to head the U.S. census, has died at 96, Scientists find signs of horse riding in ancient human remains, A man dies of a brain-eating amoeba, possibly from rinsing his sinuses with tap water, Garland supports effort to hold Russia accountable for war crimes, A report from the Commonwealth Fund highlights racial inequities in Florida's health care system, Biden's plan to stop surprise medical bills faces bipartisan pushback in Congress. Despite failing to meet a late Tuesday deadline to finalize a 2022-23 state budget, House and Senate negotiatorsdid manage to approvea 5.38% pay raise for all state employees, along with setting a new, $15-an-hour minimum wage for these workers. So was $12 million (from interest incurred from federal funds) to transport undocumented immigrants out of the state, and $10 million to reactivate the Florida State Guard to supplement the states National Guard. Please contact Shelley Lopez at (850) 644-6602 or s.lopez@fsu.edu. The $800 million is a $250 million increase over last year's funding, and brings Florida's investments in teacher pay to greater than $2 billion since the 2020 Legislative Session.