TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The Florida House has approved an amendment to a budget bill that reduces a proposed $1,400 pay raise to state workers. The House approved the change to a budget bill (HB 5001) on Thursday.
House budget chair Seth McKeel said employees instead would get a recurring increase of $1,000 a year in their paychecks but a one-time $400 bonus based on merit.
It caught several members off guard.
Republican Rep. Mike Fasano said voting for the measure would be like reneging on a promise. McKeel said the original $1,400 figure was only a suggestion.
Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford even suggested McKeel was attempting to pay for the House Medicaid expansion alternative by stiffing state workers.
State employees have not received a raise since 2006.
*Pictured above is Rep. Seth McKeel.
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