| The Gross National Debt |
28,000 Pay Nothing
It’s time to talk turkey when it comes to government employee compensation.
Once upon a time, higher pay was found in the private sector; not any more. A review of statistics from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reveals that government employment pays more on average; however, compensation does not end with a paycheck for government employees while it does for many in the private sector.
Florida's 127,000 state workers enjoy free or inexpensive health care, an extremely generous package of retirement benefits, many perks such as free college tuition, access to financial planners, liberal use of take-home cars for emergency and non-emergency personnel galore, training trips that amount to a vacation for almost anyone else, and discounted (if not free) dry cleaning and meals with a badge and a grin.
The costs for these programs have grown, and grown, and grown for the taxpayers. It’s time to call it for what it is: Wrong.
The vast majority of all state employees pay a mere $50 per month for individual premiums or $180 for a family plan (1/13th what the author pays) and this $50 / $180 amount has not increased since 2006; however, a review of the state’s budget reveals that the Taxpayers are paying $470 per month for the individual and over $1,000 per month for family coverage. Since 2006, we are paying 35% more while the state employee is paying 0% more
But wait, it gets even better. There are over 26,000 state employees who pay NOTHING for their health-care insurance premiums and then, add the 1,700 employees of the Legislature who pay zero as well. While the public school bus driver struggles to make ends meet and is thankful for inexpensive health insurance, the private school bus driver makes minimum wage without benefits while the incumbent Republicrats in the House and Senate, Governor’s Office, and Judiciary enjoy a wee bit more in many, many ways.
$1.19 billion for employee health care last year represents a 15% increase from 2008 and 2007 while employee contributions actually declined to $154 million.
The Florida Legislature has demonstrated that it is weak and whipped by unions and votes. While everyone is paying more, our state employees are not. Apparently the Republican dominated Legislature is afraid to touch the issue.
There you have it, another reason in a long list why the Florida Whig Party needs your support and why it is time to rid the State of Florida of the Republicrats……
we can’t afford them anymore.
Department of Children & Families
Another Exposure
Remember this when "they" call for national health insurance.
