If the Florida Legislature is going to make up the $3.5 billion deficit facing the state by reducing spending, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, thinks elected officials should start by cutting their own benefits.
Fasano filed a bill this month that would reduce the contributions the state makes to elected officials retirement funds from 3 percent to 2 percent. Judges contributions would fall from 3.33 percent to 2 percent. The bill would apply to all levels of government, including local elected officials.
If were going to reduce government spending in the state of Florida, then lets start at the top, said Fasano, a member of the Governmental Accountability and Oversight Committee that deals with the state pension funds.
Should the bill pass both houses and be signed into law, its not likely to make much of a dent in the Florida Retirement Systems overall budget. The FRS payroll came to nearly $27 million in the 2010 fiscal year, and elected officials make up 0.35 percent of overall membership. An FRS analysis is being conducted to determine the exact amount Fasanos bill will save.
Whether it saves tens of millions of dollars or a few million dollars, its less money than the taxpayer would have to come up with, Fasano said.
The bill will instead be seen as a way to show they are not exempted from the cuts that are looming for other state workers. Senate President Mike Haridopolos has repeatedly said the Legislature will not raise taxes and any deficit reduction would come through spending cuts. He has also said the Senate needs to lead by example when it comes to enacting those cuts.
Fasano said he has not received any feedback from his fellow legislators about the bill, but knows not everyone will be on board.
There will be some that will put their retirement benefits before their public service. Weve made a commitment for public service, not retirement benefits, Fasano said.
The bill, filed as SB 290, and others dealing with state employee pensions, will be followed closely by local governments, many of whose budgets have come under increasing strain in recent years due in part to their contributions to the FRS.
Obviously were very engaged in all the pension discussions. Our concern is that they dont raise contribution rates, said Cragin Mosteller, communications director for the Florida Association of Counties.
Cities, counties and special districts accounted for more than 180,000 active members of the FRS in the 2010 fiscal year, with a payroll of $8.8 billion.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
