To fund an Outreach Coordinator and assistant to conduct training workshops for panhandle teachers, statutorily mandated to teach Holocaust Education, and to expand programs for the annual Holocaust Education Week. What were doing in the budget is making sure that were meeting the obligations, making sure were funding key priorities but also, protecting the state against what very well may be a Biden-induced recession, said DeSantis, who is running for reelection and is considered a potential frontrunner for a 2024 GOP presidential bid. 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. 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. Permitless carry is a bad idea, says suspended Hillsborough state attorney | Column, Closing schools, reshuffling students vexes Hillsborough board, Florida's 15-week abortion ban heads to DeSantis' desk, Prosecutors and public defenders will see raises, transport undocumented immigrants out of the state, Get Capitol Buzz, a special bonus edition of The Buzz with Emily L. Mahoney, each Saturday while the Legislature is meeting, Did the Florida Legislature pass this bill to punish newspapers? In the 2015 Legislative Session- the last time state workers saw an across-the-board raise- lawmakers approved a 2.5% raise for state employees. They apparently succeeded Tuesday,but still unclear in negotiations was whether teachers and staff in these districts would be eligible for the new school recognition awards. From a leadership perspective, when I am looking for talent to hire, I dont want salary to be a deciding factor in that a teacher wont join our organization because they cant afford it., Educators are the backbone of America, said Tiqkia Barrow, 5th Grade Teacher, Renaissance Charter School at Wellington. Ultimately, Gov. DeSantis signs budget with tax suspensions, worker raises On average, employees opting for family coverage had to pay 37 percent of their overall premiums, or $7,674. That would bring the program from one that was not funded at all this year to one of the largest land-buying programs in the state. 1 0 obj Questions? Florida Gov. The study compared employee health insurance costs, including insurance premiums and deductibles. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. Ron DeSantis will have final say over how much the state spends in the 2022-23 fiscal year. But not many state employees enroll in high deductible plans. State Employee Pay Raise - $6000.00 - TSEU-CWA 6186 STAFF LOGIN, Gov. State employees could see a 4% pay bump. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Im excited for Floridas teachers and am grateful for Governor DeSantis vision and his relentless pursuit to improve the teaching profession.. That program, and four others totaling $349 million, were sought by Simpson, who is running for agriculture commissioner. At issue is a minimum wage increase of $15-an-hour pushed by the Senate compared to a 5.38 percent salary increase in the House, to address rising inflation. Theyre proposing $200 million in federal relief dollars to supplement a monthlong cut to the states gas tax in October. Letsgetstarted. Please see the attached memorandum regarding the 2022-2023 Salary Increase and Minimum Wage Pay Adjustment for In-Unit & Out-of-Unit Staff. My husband and I receive retirement benefits including a health insurance subsidy (HIS). Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. The study compared employee health insurance costs, including insurance premiums and deductibles. 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). 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. So it's really a perfect storm for high cost burdens.. You can reach Tristan at [emailprotected], or on Twitter @TristanDWood. Questions or Comments, Privacy Policy The 5.3% pay raise and $15 minimum wage starting July 1 will boost the area's payroll by at least an additional $40 million annually. I am happy to say that Governor DeSantis, the Legislature, and the Department of Education are making education a priority in Florida, said Kristen Geiger,Teacher, Fleming Island Elementary School. 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. The celebration over a historic 5.3% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and a new $15 minimum wage for state workers was partly overshadowed Friday morning by the vetoes of $1 million earmarked to the Second . It wasnt because it is taken out of my check. 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. However, some hospitals were spared. Lawmakers now are certain to extend the session. On top of that, employees saw big cost increases in dependent health care coverage, meaning state employees actually saw their take home pay decrease. "/> Florida lawmakers approved the state's biggest-ever budget, a $112 billion plan that includes a gas-tax holiday, pay raises for workers and more spending than the governor's proposal. Nursing home employees also would reach $15-an-hour minimum pay as part of a 7% increase in Medicaid rates paid nursing homes that was also agreed to Tuesday. Nat Bender on Monday, June 6 2022 - 12:03pm. It was the first such pay bump in 12 years for Florida's state workers, . The HIS benefit is not an insurance policy and it is not a part of your Florida Retirement System pension. My husbands form also had the notation but I recently noticed that his HIS was not excluded and was counted as part of his taxable income. The increases in teacher pay will provide critical help to teachers in Florida during a critical time where inflation is rising rapidly across the country: What is nice about this for teachers is that you made a commitment for our teachers that you would raise base pay to sustain a living, said Christopher Glinton, Principal, Renaissance Charter School at Wellington. DeSantis includes Seminole Compact revenue in budget despite court blow, Legislative Session Preview: Vicki Lopez prioritizes housing reforms, first responder support, stopping predators, Anti-drag queen show, expanded parental rights legislation filed, Blaise Ingoglia: Hypocrats perfect new name for Democrats if theyre canceled, Takeaways from Tallahassee Sessions Always on My Mind. Under the plan, DeSantis would exclusively use the Citation. The Legislature, following a request from DeSantis, created a one-month gas tax suspension in the budget for October, which will lower the price of gas by about 25 cents a gallon. DeSantis, Cabinet members and other state leaders also were helped by budget-writers Tuesday, who agreed to spend $31.3 million to buy two Embraer Phenom 300E executive jets, each with an 11-seat capacity, under legislation awaiting final approval. Why is diversity the hot issue in Florida higher education? The Florida Freedom Budget directs DMS to ensure benefits currently under the various health insurance plans remain the same through June 30, 2023. But with inflation rising and many state agencies struggling to hire and keep employees, lawmakers have adapted to a new political reality. The Governor doesnt like to mention this, but Floridas budget includes nearly $40 billion in federal money this year. 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. In another dramatic move, lawmakers dropped aHouse-backed $200 million redistribution of funds from 12 counties that defied Gov. The other half is meant to boost the pay for veteran educators who already make above the base salary. 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.. Of that, the employee is responsible for $2,160. AFSCME, the labor union representing state workers, said it appreciates the state recognizes theres been years of undervaluing workers. The budget also directs $11.2 million to increase the base rate for Department of Juvenile Justice detention and probation officers and $1.4 million to increase the salaries of more than 580 state firefighters. 2023. We have invested more than $2 billion in teacher pay, and with rising inflation, this could not come at a better time. Though the longtime lobbyist was quick to add that the pay raise "is huge" for the region. Brandes said those plans make consumers more aware of the services they get as well as the costs of the services. For the rest of Floridians, affordable housing has been the subject of calls for more money, as the states sizzling housing market has driven rents and home prices through the roof. As a result of having skin in the game, Brandes said, they are less likely to consume unnecessary health care services that can increase costs. 4 0 obj 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. Lawmakers cut the bulk of a $309 million fund for hospitals that serve the states poorest and sickest Medicaid patients. Florida Lawmakers Pass $112B Budget, End Contentious Session 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. (A similar program was vetoed by DeSantis last year.). This is just the amount to offset the increased cost of living not covered by past pay increases we have received. <> The 12 districts are Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia counties. The Senates proposal excluded current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat and candidate for governor, from having access to the funds. I think that is going to help our state as a whole, said Senate Appropriations chairperson Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. Lawmakers in the GOP-controlled statehouse approved the budget in March on a largely bipartisan basis after a legislative session dominated by bitter partisan fights over bills involving race, sex, gender and abortion. All state workers will see across-the-board 5.38 percent pay raises. No state workers will make less than $15 per hour. The two things that get vetoesare food and jobs, said Jeff Sharkey of the Capitol Alliance Group, Leon Countys lobbyist at the state capitol. ATallahassee initiative that provides scholarships to acquire GEDs, high school diplomas and to attend college or technical and vocational schools. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Desperate for State Workers, Governors Offer Raises to Keep Them Legislative session: Pay raises OK'd for state workers in Florida Prison Construction - Two New Facilities: One 250 bed hospital facility - $200 million, Offender Based Information System (OBIS) replacement - $10.2 million, Statewide Prosecutor Workload - $1.8 million and 12 positions, Solicitor General Workload - $1.7 million and 10 positions, Election Crimes Investigations - $1.5 million and 10 positions, Cyberfraud Analysis and Education - $0.5 million and 6 positions, Increase DJJ Provider Pay to Minimum Wage - $5.3 million, Salary Increases for Deputy Sheriffs and County Correctional Officers in Fiscally Constrained Counties - $15.0 million, Appellate Court Operational Increases - $9.7 million and 62 positions, Construction of one 4,500 Bed Prison - $650.0 million, Construction of one 250 Bed Prison Hospital - $200.0 million, Price Level Increase for Correctional Officers in Private Prisons - $33.9 million, Offender Based Information System (OBIS) Replacement - $10.2 million, Information Technology Infrastructure Improvements - $5.1 million, Critical Security Equipment - $3.0 million, Statewide Recruitment Staffing - $1.9 million and 12 positions, Critical Legal Positions - $1.2 million and 13 positions, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Program Compliance - $1.2 million and 11 positions, Pensacola Regional Operations Center Facility - $6.3 million, Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System - $0.9 million and 2 positions, Increase Federal Grants Trust Fund Authority - COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) Grant - $0.8 million, Criminal Justice Data Technical Assistance Grant - $5.0 million, Biometric Identification Solution (BIS) Modernization - $3.5 million, Criminal Justice Data Transparency - $3.0 million, Statewide Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Strategy - $1.3 million and 3 positions, Increase Provider Pay to Minimum Wage - $5.3 million, Expansion of Vocational and Educational Services - $3.7 million, Continuation and Expansion of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs - $1.6 million, Electronic Monitoring Enhancements - $1.0 million, Establishment of an Electronic Health Record - $0.7 million and 3 positions, Child Representation Pilot Program - $2.4 million and 3 positions, Staffing Support for the Justice Administrative Commission - $0.5 million and 4 positions, Clerks of Court Pandemic Recovery Plan - $6.3 million, Guardian ad Litem Trust Fund Authority - $4.4 million and 67.5 positions, State Attorney and Public Defender Motor Vehicle Replacement - $2.5 million, Appellate Case Management Solution - $4.5 million, Maintain Early Childhood Courts - $1.0 million and 9 positions, Trial Courts Pandemic Recovery Plan - $10.0 million, Support for Post-Pandemic Proceedings - $1.9 million, Supreme Court Fellows Program - $0.6 million, Transportation Work Program - $11.6 billion, Affordable Housing Programs - $362.7 million, Library, Cultural, and Historical Grants, Initiatives, and Facilities - $175.3 million, Urban Search and Rescue Teams Training and Equipment Grants - $10 million, Florida National Guard Tuition Assistance - $5.2 million, Reemployment Assistance Program Operations and Tax Services Provider - $33.4 million, State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) - $209.5 million (allocated to local governments), Affordable Housing Programs - $153.3 million, including the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) and $100 million for a Florida Hometown Hero Housing Program, Noncustodial Parent Employment Program - $7.0 million, Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program - $20 million, First Responders Recognition Payments - $125 million SFRF, Broadband Opportunity Grant Program - $400 million SFRF, Consumer-First Workforce Information System - $150 million SFRF, Rural Infrastructure Fund - $30 million ($25 million SFRF), Economic Development Projects - $6.0 million, Housing and Community Development Projects - $107.9 million, Florida Highway Patrol Taser Replacement - $1.5 million, Florida Highway Patrol Academy Driving Track - $10 million, Increased Authority for Work Zone Traffic Enforcement - $5.8 million, Additional Commercial Driver License Third Party Testing - $570,119; 6.0 positions, Motorist Modernization Project - Phase II - $10 million, Florida National Guard Tuition Assistance - $5.2 million for FYs 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, Florida State Guard - $10 million; 6.0 positions, New Counterdrug Program Headquarters Building - $2.2 million, Libraries Maintenance of Effort - $23.9 million; and Additional Aid - $2 million, Cultural and Museum Programs and Initiatives - $73.2 million, General Program Support Grants - $46.0 million (fully funds all 556 projects), Culture Builds Florida Ranked List - $3.1 million (funds all 131 projects), Cultural Facilities Grants Ranked List - $10 million SFRF (funds 24 projects), Cultural and Museum Projects - $14.1 million, Historical Preservation Programs and Initiatives - $31.1 million, Historic Preservation Small Matching Grants Ranked List - $1.6million (funds all58projects), Historic Preservation Special Category Ranked List - $21.5 million (funds all 77 projects), Historic Preservation Projects - $9.4 million, African-American Cultural and Historical Grants Ranked List - $30.3 million (SFRF). The other two aircraft would be available to the lieutenant governor, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the House Speaker, Senate president and chairs of legislative committees and agency officials. And West Virginia Republican Gov. Pay Instructions - Florida Department of Management Services 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. Prosecutors, public defenders to get pay raises under proposed Florida High deductible plans also are accompanied by tax-free health savings accounts. Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees . Those making $15 to $25 could see a pay increase as well. For my tax form from the State the Health Insurance Subsidy was excluded from my gross income with the notation The purpose of the HIS is to provide assistance with the cost of health insurance coverage. The record spending plan is thanks to the states booming tax rolls coming out of the pandemic and billions of dollars handed down from Congress. The project will restore wildlife habitat, rehydrate wetlands, and improve discharge into the Floridan Aquifer and directly benefit the Wakulla Springs. News | AFSCME Florida ", More on DeSantis' budget: DeSantis budget includes raise for state workers, new emergency operations center, More on state minimum wage: Florida lawmakers consider banning cities, counties from setting local minimum wages.

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