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Gov. Scott to Propose $30 Million in Pay Raises for State Law Enforcement Agencies

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Proposed Funding Would Double Current Year Investment

Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will propose $30 million in pay raises for state law enforcement agencies to use for officer recruitment and retention in his 2018-2019 recommended budget. Last month, Governor Scott signed SB 7022 to provide a five percent pay raise for Florida’s sworn state law enforcement officers. This $30 million would double that investment and be used to reward current sworn state law enforcement officers and continue to attract qualified officers. The Governor’s proposal will allow each state agency with sworn law enforcement to formulate their own pay raise plan to meet their specific needs. The Governor will announce his entire recommended budget before the beginning of next year’s legislative session.
Governor Scott said, “Today, I’m proud to announce that as part of my upcoming recommended budget, I will be proposing a $30 million investment in pay raises for our state law enforcement agencies to use for officer recruitment and retention. This $30 million in pay raises will help reward our hard-working state law enforcement officers and ensure we can continue to hire highly qualified and dedicated officers to keep Florida families safe for years to come. I know that each state agency has different needs, and this proposal allows them to provide pay raises to best suit their sworn law enforcement officers.
“As Governor, I have traveled the state and had the opportunity to meet firsthand with our brave law enforcement officers to hear incredible stories of their bravery and service. Our state law enforcement officers face danger every day, and they have protected our communities during some of our state’s most challenging times. I was proud to stand with the Florida Senate and Florida House this year to fight for the well-deserved five percent pay raise for sworn state law enforcement officers, but we cannot stop there. We must do everything we can to recognize our law enforcement and work to ensure that our state can recruit hard-working law enforcement officers to build on Florida’s 46-year crime low.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “We are grateful for Governor Scott’s continued support of Florida’s law enforcement community and his commitment to the safety of our Florida citizens. His proposal will help us continue to hire the best, and to better retain the talented agents we have already working for FDLE.”
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes said, “I am immensely proud of the life-saving work that the Florida Highway Patrol members do every day to protect the citizens and visitors of our state. Governor Scott is dedicated to ensuring the state has the necessary resources to recruit and retain state law enforcement, and I thank him for his proposal.”
Florida Highway Patrol Director Colonel Gene Spaulding said, “Every day, Florida Highway Patrol troopers leave the safety and comfort of their homes and families to protect and serve our great state. This funding proposal is a testament to their great sacrifice, and I thank Governor Scott for his continued commitment to our troopers and all of the state law enforcement officers.”

More than $30 Million Settlement Reached with Johnson & Johnson

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Attorney General Pam Bondi and 42 other attorneys general today announced a multimillion dollar settlement with Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. resolving allegations that the company unlawfully promoted over-the-counter drugs. According to the complaint filed simultaneously with the states’ consent judgment today, the defendants misled consumers into believing they were purchasing drugs manufactured in an FDA compliant facility. As part of the settlement, Florida will receive more than $1.6 million.
“When a consumer purchases over-the-counter drugs, they should be able to trust that the medication is produced in a safe facility,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Thanks to collaborative multistate efforts, this settlement will help us better protect consumers buying OTC drugs across the country.”
The consent judgment requires McNeil-PPC, Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. that manufactures and distributes OTC drugs, to ensure that its marketing and promotional practices do not unlawfully promote OTC drug products. According to the multistate investigation, the defendants acted through McNeil to promote OTC drugs as compliant with federally mandated current Good Manufacturing Practices. The Food and Drug Administration, however, found that, between 2009 and 2011, some McNeil manufacturing facilities did not comply with the mandated practices. McNeil has changed from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson to a division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc.
As part of the settlement, the defendants are required to conform to the following terms:

  • Provide information to participating attorneys general within 60 days of a written request regarding the identity of wholesalers or warehouses where any recalled OTC drugs were distributed in their state;
  • Ensure not to represent on its websites that McNeil’s OTC Drug Product facilities meet cGMP as outlined by the FDA if McNeil has had a Class I or Class II Recall of OTC drug products within the prior 12 months; and
  • Follow internal standard operating polices regarding whether to open a Corrective Action and Preventive Action plan during the manufacture of an OTC drug.

To view a copy of the consent judgment, click here.
To view a copy of the complaint, click here.
Florida served on the executive committee investigating the defendants’ practices. The following also participated in the settlement: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
This settlement is pending judicial approval.