Gov. Scott approves pay raise bill for state workers

June 14, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Wednesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill approving a pay raise for state employees.

The bill includes $183 million that will be used to offer varying levels of pay hikes for workers.

Rank-and-file employees who currently earn $40,000 a year or less will get a $1,400 pay raise, and those earning more than $40,000 will receive a $1,000 raise. The legislation also authorizes 5 percent pay raises to state law-enforcement officers and 10 percent raises to judges, state attorneys and public defenders.

The bill also includes changes to retirement and health insurance benefits.

Newly hired public employees will be placed in an investment 401(k) styled-plan if they don't make a choice within nine months of starting their jobs. Currently those employees are placed in a traditional pension plan.

Wednesday, Governor Scott said in a statement, “Today, I am proud to sign legislation which provides much deserved pay raises for Florida’s sworn state law enforcement officers, correctional officers and state employees. Earlier this year, I recommended a five percent pay raise for all sworn state law enforcement officers and increased pay for Florida’s correctional officers as part of my Fighting for Florida’s Future budget and I am glad the Legislature passed meaningful legislation to address this."