Posted on 02/08/2011 3:23:16 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Megan Allen teaches special-needs students at Cleveland Elementary in Tampa, a tough job under any circumstances. She does it so well that last year she was Florida's Teacher of the Year.
Now Gov. Rick Scott wants to take some of her pay away a move that teachers, firefighters and other public employees say will hurt education, hamper law enforcement and chase good people away from public employment.
Scott, in the budget he unveiled Monday, called for an overhaul of the state's pension system for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other state and county workers. He wants them to contribute 5 percent of their pay to their retirement accounts, instead of the state covering the entire expense. Most states require at least some employees to contribute toward their retirement.
Allen said it would be fair for Scott to ask teachers to contribute only if they were being paid a salary comparable to what they could earn in the private sector.
The governor predicted that many public employees will complain, but told supporters, "What we have to remember is we're doing this for the sake of our children and grandchildren."
(Excerpt) Read more at tampabay.com ...
Read it and weep. Then shut the heck up.
St. Petersburg police shooter Hydra Lacy Jr. spent years in prison. Court records show two prison terms, starting when he was 17, and arrests for grand theft, aggravated battery, rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and resisting arrest with violence.
In a story in the St. Petersburg Times Sunday about Lacy’s funeral, former police officer Davis explained he attended the cop killer Lacy’s funeral to support the Lacy family, which includes Hydra’s brother and boxing standout Jeff Lacy who himself did not attend.
What is funny is that his superiors are covering for him by refusing to comment on why this former cop is supporting a rapist, kidnapper, cop killer.
His immediate boss, City Administrator Tish Elston, didn’t return a phone call and e-mail seeking comment about his possible absence or whether she asked him not to attend.
Mayor Bill Foster didn’t return repeated calls seeking comment.
Free Ride
Edgar Winter Group
The mountain is high
The valley is low
And you’re confused on which way to go
So I’ve come here to give you a hand
And lead you into the promised land
So...
Come on and take a free ride [free ride!]
Come on and sit here by my side
Come on and take a free ride
All over the country I’ve seen it the same
Nobody’s winning at this kind of game
We’ve got to do better it’s time to begin
You know all the answers must come from within
So...
Come on and take a free ride [free ride]
Come on and sit here by my side
Come on and take a free ride
I'm a cop and a soldier. When I'm active duty, I make MORE than I do when I'm a cop. The Army pays a lot of little extras besides salary that add up.
Cost of living in the military is a lot less than civilian life. At least in my experience, but I'm in NYC so it's a tad skewed. I know it's anecdotal, but military jobs have sweet pension and benefits that certainly rival police/fire jobs. No one complains about the military, though.
Maybe the teachers should test the private sector and find out what they could really earn there (and how the benefit package would compare to what they have now).
I'm glad for that :)
As for the rest, I'd don't think any of our public servants should make more than our military personnel. And if our "public servants" didn't like it, I'd tell them to find a job in the private sector.
They may be FINALLY asked to contribute 5% but, let me guess, their plans are still defined benefit, right? Guaranteed outcome and the taxpayer expected to make up any shortfall?
Yet still they complain?
Ditto. I am so sick of this. This defined benefit crap for public workers is what's killing the budget here in the People's Republic of Illinois.
Aren’t military personnel to be considered government employees? It just seems to me that soldiers escape any criticism whatsoever when in fact they enjoy similar, if not more, benefits that people begrudge cops/firemen/teachers.
Florida public schools are costing about $15,000 per student. That includes teachers, adminstrators, buses, buildings, and other costs.
Florida charter schools cost about $10,000 to $11,000 per student.
The Florida public school system is bloated in many ways and the taxpayers are finally awakening.
Really? Our servicemen and women gets deals this good...
Retiring S.F. police brass cash in on way out
Early retirement benefit for South Burlington school principals raises questions
They picked this person as a representative and she lobs a soft ball like that? Good grief!
Oh well, I'll take it.
If public employees should be paid a salary comparable to their worth in the private sector then we should cut their salaries by 20-50% right off the top.
The next time you step on a landmine as a teacher, let us know.
Editorial masquerading as news.
“””Editorial masquerading as news.”””
I like that. I trust you will not mind if I use it from time to time.
Please do.
“As for DROP...that should end...and those who retire under it, should never be allowed to return to former or newly created positions.”
I agree completely.
Next time I run towards gunfire as a cop, I’ll let you know.
The differences in these situations is that cops/firefighters are payed by local gov'ts, and local gov'ts can run out of money. The military is payed by the federal gov't, and as we have seen all the feds have to do is print more money.
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