$80,000 down, and more than a billion more to trim

Meeting in a special session to slash Florida's budget, lawmakers begin with their recent pay raise. Says one: "This appears to be a bill of posturing.''

By LUCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 23, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- In the state House of Representatives, it's $80,000 down, just under $1.3-billion to go.

Members of the House moved quickly to grab a public relations advantage, voting Monday to cut their own salaries by $708 before turning to the much more difficult task of trimming $1.3-billion from state spending. The salary cut would save taxpayers about $80,000.

State Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, offered the bill, saying it was needed to establish the tone on the first day of the special session called to make up the budget shortfall.

"It may be only $80,000, but we're telling the people of the state the first place we cut is legislative salaries," Fasano said.

The bill was vehemently opposed by Rep. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon.

Some legislators are wealthy, others are not, Argenziano argued. She proposed giving legislators the choice of whether to reject all or part of their salaries.

"I'm not a doctor. I'm not a lawyer. I made a promise to my constituents to work full time at this," argued Argenziano. "I'm going to be 47 years old and I don't want to be a bag lady."

Argenziano is among a handful of legislators who do not have other employment and depend on the $28,608 annual salary. Fasano's bill would take away a 2.5 percent pay raise that went into effect in July and return the salaries to $27,900.

"This appears to be a bill of posturing," said Rep. E. Denise Lee, D-Jacksonville. "It's not significant enough to fool the public."

The House approved the bill 104-7. Those voting against it in addition to Argenziano were Reps. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales; William Andrews, R-Delray Beach; Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah; James Harper Jr., D-West Palm Beach; Jim Kallinger, R-Winter Park; and James Richardson, D-Tallahassee.

Eight House members did not vote, including Rep. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg. The Senate agreed to take up a companion bill.

-- Times staff writer Alisa Ulferts contributed to this report.

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