Today was a very sad day in Florida. Public workers were

[Riley18]

completely and totally sold out by our politicians. We have now been subjected to what amounts to a state income tax only for public workers. As a teacher in Florida where my pay ranks 47th in the nation, I now have the burden of a 3% tax in order to keep working. They also took $150 away from my retirement medical and no more DROP. Sure they have more in store for us after the weekend. The most ironic thing is that Scott is taking from working people in order to grant a tax cut for wealthy Florida homeowners that do not even need the money. I think they just do it for the fun of it. He is beholden to the rich and this "little" tax cut for them is just a token gesture. My fellow teachers and I are just sick and tired of trying to run to second and third jobs just to feed and house our families down here that we are all looking for somewhere that might offer a better life. Most of the options seem to be in other countries. How sad....

[drm604]

1. Is anything being done.

Are you guys doing anything to fight back?

[lovuian]

2. a little saying by Lech Walesa

"they pretend to pay us and we pretend to work"

[Rage for Order]

3. Link please?

What's the 3% tax?

[Riley18]

5. The governor is taking 3% of our pay towards pension but

it was already healthy and fully funded. They can call it whatever they want to, but he told the school districts they were getting a 6.25% cut in funding only it is really "only" 3.25% because they will take 3% back from us.

Yes, we are trying to do the same things other working people have tried. Today there are streetcorner rallies and once each week while the legislature is in session we have caravans to Tallahassee. Unfortunately, these politicians really do not care anymore how much people protest. They have an agenda and are sticking with their plan.

[rzemanfl]

19. What was sent to me was a straight 3% pay cut passed in

committee, no mention of pensions. I am resigning next week, the random urine screens would have been enough to get me to quit without the pay cut. I am also shopping a class action suit to employment law firms.

[Riley18]

7. I apologize but do not know how to put a link. My union

sends us updates on how things are going and that is how I know. One thing I do know is that the rallies are not being shown on TV or written about in the paper. The local politicians write little articles saying crap like "this will give teachers a chance to shine" and "my office is not hearing negative comments about the budget" so really we are left with little or no recourse. I do know that the 3% cut will be for all public workers in Florida not just teachers.

[Rage for Order]

8. No worries on the link

You've answered my question regarding the 3%.

[MichiganVote]

4. K&R

[StarburstClock]

6. How would you feel if you were told to just "Put it behind you and move on"?

That's what America does, regardless of the severity of any crime, "law", bill passed or corruption. The entire country is corrupt now and we all have to live with it, at least temporarily. States that have republicans in charge are just the first to have this happen, soon it'll be the POTUS telling all Americans that these "sacrifices" must be made to solve our "financial crisis".

It's all bullshit, criminal bullshit.

[Riley18]

9. Exactly how we feel where I work. It seems like a well

organized plan. To think politicians mostly act like they can't find their own ass, and now they turn into focused machines when it comes time to throw us under the bus.

[adigal]

10. You should all strike, even with the Taylor law

Screw em, let them see what it is like without teachers. Mommies and daddies will be screaming because they will have to pay a babysitter to watch their children. Or at least Work to Rule, where you only work you designated hours, and no work coming home, etc. I am in NY, and I KNOW that if our governor tried to do something like this, the teacher's union would have a fit, and the governor would eventually back down. You don't do this to kind, hard-working people!!!

[Riley18]

12. Thanks, it would be good if the union would grow a pair:)

[HockeyMom]

11. Get out of Florida

We have been telling many a young person interested in teaching to find another major. If they insist on teaching, at least get out of Florida.

This even happened with a teacher's daughter. Her Mom told her don't do it. We Paras told her not to. The young woman was majoring in Vet Sciences and wanted to switch to Eucation. Well, with all the negativity she was getting, she decided to stay in the Vet Science Major. The girl was a very caring person. She loved children and animals. Go with helping the animals. You can have your own children.

I work with special needs kids as a Para. I have also worked with developmentally disabled adults in non-profit agencies. I turned down a position at one of these agencies to work in the schools. I regret doing it now.

Personally, I think I will quit public education, leave Florida, and go back to working for a non profit agency back in NY.

[Riley18]

13. Some of us are planning on selling what we can and doing

just that because it is just too stressful. Day in and day out there is just more and more "bad" news here. Now with this governor, and no hope for a recall, there won't be much left of Florida. I know what you mean about young teachers. I work with a great new teacher, and all I can say to her is "get out now while you still can!" Eighteen years ago when my daughter was born, I would have thought it would be great if she went into education. Now after seeing what we have been put through here, you couldn't make her become a teacher! Not one of my team wants their own children to follow them into education.

[Patiod]

14. My one girlfriend left teaching in the state just in time

I heard a Republican state legislator who claims to be a former principal on NPR today, saying that cutting wages won't impact the labor pool because teachers don't go into the profession for money.

But remember when we wanted to clawback bankster bonuses, paid with taxpayer money? "We'll lose the best and brightest!" "No one would work for Goldman Sachs without those bonuses!" Funny, huh?

[Riley18]

15. Wow, I really have no words. I think what the Repug is

really saying is that they will just hire new "teachers" that do not even need a degree or something. Like what their hero did to the air traffic controllers. I can't speak for other teachers, but I went into the profession to feed my family. I never expected to get rich, but at least I thought I could walk into a grocery store without a lump in my stomach worrying about how to pay.

[HockeyMom]

16. While we aren't in it to get rich,

we still need to live, pay bills, feed our children, etc. AND we deserve RESPECT for what we do. We are educating your children who are the FUTURE OF AMERICA.

We are not CRIMINALS.

[Scuba]

17. So take to the streets. It's not even snowing in Tallahassee. n/t

[JCMach1]

18. I feel you...

I got out in 2003... The writing has been on the wall for a long time in my beloved home state...