Politics
House Flips on Retiree Health Subsidy
Around the State
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSSEE, April 1, 2010…. Democrats won a temporary battle, but ultimately were unable to prevent Republicans from voting to cut a monthly subsidy for state retirees in on Thursday.
The cut, if included in the final budget when the House appropriations bill passed Thursday is reconciled with one passed earlier this week by the Senate, would mean the loss of up to $150 a month that nearly 250,000 retired teachers, police and other government retirees get to help them pay for insurance. The cut would save the state $224 million.
Voting Thursday on a series of budget-related bills, the House at first stunned the Republican leadership when it voted 59-57 to preserve the subsidy. The vote went beyond the issue itself - it also threw the budget out of balance.
Democrats were aided by 15 Republicans who broke ranks with their leadership to reject the proposal (HB 5701), which would deprive a retiree with 30 years or more of public service of $1,800 a year. The payout, which is based on length of service, is $106 a month on average.
But Republicans, who overwhelmingly control the House, began immediately working to reverse the vote through their control of the chamber's rules. Following a half-hour recess, the House voted on a motion to reconsider the bill and took it back up. This time, four Republicans who voted against the measure, Reps. Ed Homan, R-Temple Terrace, Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, Paige Kreegal, R-Punta Gorda, and Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, switched their votes.
That combined with three affirmative votes from Republican Reps .Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo, Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando and Kurt Kelly, R-Belleview – who were not on the floor for the first vote - tipped the balance in favor of the cut, with the bill then passing 63-56. Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven, switched his vote from yes to no.
“Several members I think in the heat of the moment, some said they pressed the wrong button, others said they didn’t mean to vote against it,” said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton. “We’re going to work this out in conference.”
But Democrats couldn't contain their glee, and planned to try to make a campaign issue of the vote.
Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, said House Republicans who voted for the premium hike shot themselves in both feet. He noted that if the subsidy cut - which isn't in the Senate budget - ends up not in the final bill, the vote against state retirees, who vote in large numbers, was politically unnecessary.
“They want to use that as a bargaining tool with the Senate?” Saunders said. “Good for them. We’ll use it as a campaign tool for us.”
Democrats were already doing that. Not long after the vote, a House Democratic spokesman likened the Republican position to increasing taxes on hard-working retirees, anathema to a GOP that prides itself on being anti-tax.
Two Republicans who held their ground in voting with Democrats against the cut, said retiree benefits are not the place to make political statements. They also questioned the wisdom of bringing the entire issue up for a vote.
“I thought we had enough money in reserves that we didn't have to go back to promises that were made to folks when they were hired,” said Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, whose Panhandle district is heavy with government retirees.
Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, said other budget cuts could have absorbed the costs associated with the subsidy. He also said leaders would likely drop the proposed cut in reconciling the two budgets.
“So why are you upsetting these people, balancing the budget on their backs when it's probably going to get fixed in conference anyway?” he said.
The cut, if included in the final budget when the House appropriations bill passed Thursday is reconciled with one passed earlier this week by the Senate, would mean the loss of up to $150 a month that nearly 250,000 retired teachers, police and other government retirees get to help them pay for insurance. The cut would save the state $224 million.
Voting Thursday on a series of budget-related bills, the House at first stunned the Republican leadership when it voted 59-57 to preserve the subsidy. The vote went beyond the issue itself - it also threw the budget out of balance.
Democrats were aided by 15 Republicans who broke ranks with their leadership to reject the proposal (HB 5701), which would deprive a retiree with 30 years or more of public service of $1,800 a year. The payout, which is based on length of service, is $106 a month on average.
But Republicans, who overwhelmingly control the House, began immediately working to reverse the vote through their control of the chamber's rules. Following a half-hour recess, the House voted on a motion to reconsider the bill and took it back up. This time, four Republicans who voted against the measure, Reps. Ed Homan, R-Temple Terrace, Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, Paige Kreegal, R-Punta Gorda, and Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, switched their votes.
That combined with three affirmative votes from Republican Reps .Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo, Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando and Kurt Kelly, R-Belleview – who were not on the floor for the first vote - tipped the balance in favor of the cut, with the bill then passing 63-56. Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven, switched his vote from yes to no.
“Several members I think in the heat of the moment, some said they pressed the wrong button, others said they didn’t mean to vote against it,” said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton. “We’re going to work this out in conference.”
But Democrats couldn't contain their glee, and planned to try to make a campaign issue of the vote.
Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, said House Republicans who voted for the premium hike shot themselves in both feet. He noted that if the subsidy cut - which isn't in the Senate budget - ends up not in the final bill, the vote against state retirees, who vote in large numbers, was politically unnecessary.
“They want to use that as a bargaining tool with the Senate?” Saunders said. “Good for them. We’ll use it as a campaign tool for us.”
Democrats were already doing that. Not long after the vote, a House Democratic spokesman likened the Republican position to increasing taxes on hard-working retirees, anathema to a GOP that prides itself on being anti-tax.
Two Republicans who held their ground in voting with Democrats against the cut, said retiree benefits are not the place to make political statements. They also questioned the wisdom of bringing the entire issue up for a vote.
“I thought we had enough money in reserves that we didn't have to go back to promises that were made to folks when they were hired,” said Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, whose Panhandle district is heavy with government retirees.
Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, said other budget cuts could have absorbed the costs associated with the subsidy. He also said leaders would likely drop the proposed cut in reconciling the two budgets.
“So why are you upsetting these people, balancing the budget on their backs when it's probably going to get fixed in conference anyway?” he said.
Comments (1004)
jessica alba sex youtube , miley cyrus egotastic , fscubdrm , naked ass , aabkgfku , http://mileycyrusnaked18jxqlelh.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-jessic... , jessica alba inside me
anne hathaway sexy , jessica alba hot ass , djuonsea , hathaway sexy , rkkhyznh , http://rihannanudepicsvnpeevw.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hot-hathaway-nudi... , movie with anne hathaway and jake gyllenhaal
pics of magazines , rihanna cell pics , czcswmfe , kardashian gallery , qjgjiecu , http://kimkardashiannakedphotojvootxa.typepad.com/blog/2011/09/just-cele... , kim kardashian fotos prohibidas
music video of california girls by katy perry , sexy pictures of vanessa hudgens , yitwnhuf , katy perry california girls live , zdoiryum , http://katyperrynudevideosdbfo.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/katy-perry-lyric... , california girls guitar chords katy perry
katy perry style dresses , anushka sharma hot , kvcbjwzp , et by katy perry , enxfvgab , http://jessicadealbanudernsyflk.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hot-katy-perry-... , katy pery songs
emma watson bathing scene , sex position , xvbiczue , emma watson nude wallpaper , aksimfyg , http://perrysexyrabyeqv.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-harry-potter-n... , emma watson naked photo
video sex , see nude celebs , owkmmijg , naked wife pics , naudabrf , http://livesexhcymezu.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-public-nudity-no... , sex xxx
katrina kaif hot , hottest picture of kim kardashian , swnsengh , about miley cyrus , oncfxtan , http://dressupmileycyrusawtw.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/exclusive-gossip-a... , nayanthara hot pics
free sexy movies , videos pornos , vddaiwpc , anal porn , qumnkyjd , http://hotnakedcelebritybcqs.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/just-celebz-hot-na... , new celebrity sex tapes
free celebrity photos , sex videos , xoqqjhzy , mobile nude celebrity pics , wmzncyid , http://nudeguycelebsgkrjriu.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebs-photo-galler... , hot girls
celebrity sex tape download , how old is megan fox , ztthnbkj , celebrity nude sex tape , yjcezewb , http://celebritysextapeclipsgnkj.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebrity-sex-... , celebrity sex tapes kendra
free sex movies , jessica alba nude xxx , cswpiely , hard sex , jmnbxcao , http://lindsaylohancelebritysextapecple.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/free-vi... , wiki celebrity sex tapes
nude girls , all about lady gaga , wwuvilfz , anne hathaway jake movie , kmehzbne , http://rihannatourrrgqgnf.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hot-nude-celebrity-ph... , hathaway gyllenhaal
boobs , film sex , vbogdmqx , free nude celebs , dhdtusez , http://mileycyrusnakedphotojesmilx.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/pics-of-lind... , nude photos
nude athletes , born this way official video , slsbskkl , celebrity nude , guipanjk , http://theparishiltonsextapeomacecr.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/alba-the-ki... , sexy jessica alba nude
emma shoes , lyrics to katy perry california girls , yyehshwa , shoes for women , pejercyl , http://nudegirlqgsyzpp.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-emma-pink-now.html , emma movie
about katy perry , rihanna concerts 2011 , zcilsqea , katy perry photo , ojtpafbj , http://wherewasladygagabornzmwupqu.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/katy-perry-a... , katy perry hot pics
celebrity sex tapes free , having sex , sllfjpiz , free toon porn , pxcoolte , http://nudecelebritypornqgsu.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/just-celebz-naked-... , nude male celebrities
photos of vanessa hudgens nude , nude parties , qnebrwvj , vanessa hudgens latest pics , rglngdcl , http://vanessahudgensnudeexrfdsj.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hudgens-uncens... , uncensored vanessa hudgens photos
gaga crowd surf , lindsay lohan pussy picture , kvnhbfqa , telephone gaga , ejqrrzxj , http://emmawatsonnudephotoowrmmrf.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-lady... , free pics of lady gaga
miley cyrus accomplishments , girls nude , nlwalqzq , miley cyrus nude photo uncensored , jfeavmcm , http://aboutmileycyrusiazi.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/exclusive-gossip-mil... , milley cyrus
emma watsons nude pics , katy perry california girl outfits , nlddfdiv , emma sexy photos , izzotdvy , http://nudegirlsnyyebbn.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/college-women-photos-ho... , emma watsons sex tape
a picture of rihanna , magan fox , kjhxhwig , rihanna naked photos , tfmnaihd , http://annehathawaysexscenessiaesgx.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-ri... , www.rihanna naked.com
pictures of miley cyrus pregnant , newest celebrity sex tapes , btdiskxh , miley cyrus naked tits , hrtcbzgx , http://nakedpicsofkatyperryufoypmm.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-mil... , miranda cosgrove pics
megan fox clothes , anne hathaway naked videos , gkkncglg , hot bollywood videos , icphjbvk , http://emmasexyphotosaidajoj.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/bollywood-actresse... , megan fox facts
naked male celebrities , havoc anne hathaway , rzjaaudy , free celeb sex videos , hmjxdrul , http://sexpicturesihou.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/just-celebz-naked-celebr... , sexy hot
real celebrity sex tapes , vanesa hudgens , njargryk , sex clips , jleieckg , http://viewcelebritysextapesslue.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/thai-sex-the-s... , dog sex
totally nudist , jessica de alba nude , kufmmufg , lindsay lohan nude in machete , dcjdybkp , http://meganfoxxsexsblgcnq.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebrity-sex-tapes-... , nude video
vanessahudgensphotos , sexy girls , reromwdg , nude photos vanessa hudgens , tramcltt , http://vanessahudgensnudephotosnlatsfo.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/vanessa-... , vaneesa hudgens
lindsay lohan monroe shoot , miley xxx , xwpjbkef , lindsay lohan jail sentence , osmzxfjw , http://meganfoxnudewallpapersbvyxfqj.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-n... , pictures of marilyn monroe
emma watson filmography , loud rihanna , kkachmfc , emma watson pics , ebkvfhlh , http://nudecelebritiessrlggwn.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/biography-of-emma... , emma watson biography
anne hathaway and jake gyllenhaal new movie , marilyn nude pics , gwsqigsi , nudewomen , zgjlurus , http://meganfoxnakedsexvideodrphrez.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/movie-with-... , nude athletes
naked celebrities , sex free , gocolvkj , lindsay lohan shoot , fnvxmpuv , http://mileycyrusnudepicturesnvqradk.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/lindsay-lo... , lindsay lohan nude pics
miley cyrus sexting picture , katy perry naked pussy , vqzfdbwr , pictures of miley cyrus house , exrvdwsf , http://mileycyrustotallynudewofz.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/exclusive-goss... , miley cyrus pics 2011
celebrity nudism , emma watson images , cvklflpd , small tits , nlopnull , http://nuderihannaykaneni.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hot-hathaway-sex-scen... , movie with anne hathaway and jake gyllenhaal
megan fox no shirt , kim kardashian sexy videos free , xqexpfxb , sexy black girls , pnzghoaa , http://pictureofmileycyrusfzohazg.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebrity-nud... , naked
lindsay lohan nude image , celeb sex tapes , ubjmdheb , linsay lohan nude , kvegjhvd , http://mileycyrusisnakedtcwyaer.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-lohan-... , nude celebs
naughty girls , male celebrity fakes , zimadehv , nude video , hqmnqlgf , http://pussyltmbvji.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebrity-nude-pictures-the... , free nude celebs
nudest , kim kardashian video , wfzklwra , anne hathaway and jake gyllenhaal new movie , jejcypjf , http://youtuberihannarysqdsd.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/small-tits-hot-hot... , ann hathaway jake
kim kardashian sex tape review , hard core sex , xnprejbf , watch kim kardashian sex tape online free , qkwewqjz , http://kimkardashiansextapewithsingerrayjhejn.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/e... , free ray j sex tape
the movie emma , miley cyrus pictures 2011 , jhjlnkej , emma watson nude uncensored , mviafyfb , http://eroticnudeskalmpib.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-emma-sexy-pi... , emma watson naked photos
lindsay lohan nude photos , pussy , wnpuyvui , lohan nude , mvehaufn , http://meganfoxsexypicsdczuket.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-lindsay... , lindsay lohan sex tape
nude celebrity photos , youtube born this way , sjethelh , megan fox naked wallpaper , zjjjakji , http://parishiltonsextapemetacafegdmsvyi.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/hot-na... , live girls
katy perry naked tits , playgirl , iksyyecm , katy perry top 10 songs , ynsyvdpw , http://picsofladygagayjcjddl.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/all-katy-perry-mus... , katy perry music
nude wives , sexy nudes , qokmaktn , sex tapes , imptyuie , http://meganfoxnudemovierkycxpd.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/get-free-lohan-... , lindsay pics
phone naked pictures , vida guerra posters , lyrsteto , photo of rihanna , qbzldbar , http://celebritynudismxyemwhv.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/sm-rihanna-hot-ho... , photos of rihanna naked
famous sex tapes , katy perry picture without makeup , iwrzbozc , celebrity sex , rkyrzkgn , http://celebritysextapesmileycyrusmsgo.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/vivid-ce... , sex arab
nude celebrity photos , dance shoes , hkdeupky , sexy pics , lnarfxcf , http://meganfoxnudepicturesbgcmehw.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/celebrity-nu... , pics of lindsay lohan in jail
jessica alba killer inside me video , lyrics for california girls katy perry , ycqidizj , jessica alba nude wallpaper , ciihkvpc , http://parishiltonsextapewatchonlinevgjejot.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/jes... , naked jessica alba
download katy perry california gurls mp3 , katie perry california girls music video , lqxcbvkt , katy perry latest news , fkepppun , http://katyperrysexypicsqdhj.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/pictures-of-katy-p... , mp3 katy perry california gurls
Leave a Comment on This Story