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STATE WORKERS SUPPORT GOVERNOR’S BUDGET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 29, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Doug Martin, Legislative/Communications
Director
(850) 222-0842 work, (850) 212-7447 cell
Gov. Charlie Crist today issued his
2010-11 budget. Although no pay raise for state workers
was proposed, AFSCME supports the governor’s priority of
avoiding layoffs as this would damage our economy and
undermine critical services at the time of greatest
need. During the past few years of fiscal crisis, the
governor and Legislature have done their best to avoid
layoffs and we hope that continues this year.
There are places in the proposed budget
that we worry could lead to layoffs, such as the closure
of
Juvenile Detention Centers in Osceola, Monroe and
Hillsborough counties with a reduction of 129 positions.
However, the governor’s stated intention is to avoid
putting workers on the street.
The governor also proposed no changes to
the State Group Insurance Program, either by increasing
active employee premiums or altering benefits.
Increasing insurance costs to employees would represent
a pay cut when workers are entering their fourth year
without a pay raise.
“We are just elated that Governor Crist
is concerned about his employees,” said Council 79
President Jeanette D. Wynn.
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