Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda Requests Governor Crist Consider Additional Paid Leave for State Workers this Holiday Season

TALLAHASSEE,  Fla.-   Recognizing it has been another year without raises for state employees’ salaries, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D-Tallahassee) has requested  Governor Charlie Crist to consider issuing an executive order allowing state employees to take one week of paid leave during this holiday season.
In her letter to the Governor hand-delivered yesterday, Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda writes:
“As you are well aware, our employees’ salaries are not keeping up with the increasing costs of everyday living.   In 2008, the average payroll expenditure was $69 per state resident nationwide, but only $38 in Florida. The state was tied with Illinois for the lowest ratio of actual employees to population, and we ranked 49th in authorized full-time positions (103) per 10,000 residents.”
A copy of Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda’s letter to Governor Crist is attached.
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December 2, 2010
The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor, State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Dear Governor Crist:
I am writing to request additional paid time off for our state employees during the holiday season.  I was honored to work with you and your staff in 2008 to provide an additional two days off for our hard working state employees.  I hope you would consider again this worthwhile benefit for our state workers.
I know you recognize public employees as part of Florida’s economic solution.  Your leadership in vetoing the proposed state employee pay cuts made a positive statement to public employees.  The coming fiscal year will be another difficult time for Floridians and for our state workers.  With more budget challenges on the horizon, I would like to again suggest that we provide additional paid leave as a way to say to our workforce “We value and respect you and want to reward your hard work for the past year.”
As you are well aware, our employees’ salaries are not keeping up with the increasing costs of everyday living.   In 2008, the average payroll expenditure was $69 per state resident nationwide, but only $38 in Florida. The state was tied with Illinois for the lowest ratio of actual employees to population, and we ranked 49th in authorized full-time positions (103) per 10,000 residents.
These dedicated public servants have a great effect on the quality of life of each Floridian.  Law enforcement, hurricane preparedness and recovery, child protection, the education of our next generation of innovators, food safety, conservation of our natural resources, consumer advocacy with insurance, banking, and many other areas, are just a few of the ways that state employees keep us safe, healthy and financially sound.
For instance, during this period of economic hardship state employees have performed extraordinary work to help Florida’s families face unemployment and the stress it brings to all facets of their lives. Also, in the wake of the January 12 earthquake that left Haiti in ruins, Florida’s state workers reacted quickly to help those in need in our state setting up around-the-clock operations at Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Homestead and Sanford airports, as well as at call centers in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie, in order to assist survivors returning home to the United States or seeking medical care.   Our hard working state employees coordinated and guided the state through the BP Deepwater Horizon crisis and worked long shifts for many consecutive days until the disaster was resolved.  These are just a few examples this year of our state workers’ capabilities and dedication to the people of Florida.
I suggest closing offices beginning Monday, December 27 and returning to work January 3, 2011. For those who must work to keep our citizens safe or others who are unable to take advantage of the one-week break, they should receive compensatory time which they may use after the first of the year.
As you know, this model has worked successfully in our public colleges and universities for a number of years; FSU saves an estimated $200,000 in utilities alone each year they close during winter break.  Think of the savings to our taxpayers if we are able to replicate these savings across the state and in The Capitol.
Public service is an honorable profession, one that puts others above self, one that creates a public trust and bond. You know this well having served the citizens of this great state for many years with integrity and honor.  We should remember that none of us would be successful if not for our state’s dedicated and professional public workforce.
I appreciate your consideration once again of this proposal.  Throughout your years of service, you have respected the dignity of our state employee workforce and other public employees.  I know your work to treat them justly and fairly will not be forgotten. I am confident that your legacy in recognizing the value of our public service workforce will be long-lived.
Sincerely,
Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda
Representative, District 9
MRV:aac