Rep. Alan Williams pitches pay raises for state employees

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

With his district filled with state employees, Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, proposed a measure Friday that calls for giving state workers a 6 percent pay raise July 1. The bill (HB 1239) is the third proposal by Democratic lawmakers to boost pay for state employees. Gov. Rick Scott, however, has objected to across-the-board raises and favors a bonus approach.

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, filed a bill (HB 213) in October that calls for 7 percent raises, while Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, has filed a proposal (SB 478) that seeks 3 percent increases. The bills are filed for the legislative session that starts Tuesday.