Shame on Gov. Rick Scott for being hypocritical on law enforcement pay raises

Citing the Pulse Night Club attack and hurricanes and tropical storms, Gov. Rick Scott is finally proposing a 5 percent raise for state law enforcement officers. How hypocritical of Scott to now come out in support of these officers after he has vetoed pay raises during his tenure.

These officers have put their lives on the line everyday and now Scott decides it time to give them a raise. These officers face the same perils when they report to duty. There is no difference what year, day or hour it is, only the political view in Tallahassee at the time the budget is approved.

State law enforcement officers, forestry firefighters and other state workers have seen little or no pay raises since he has taken office. Scott’s press release states he has attended 32 law enforcement funerals since becoming governor. But during this time the governor has approved numerous tax cuts and incentives for business, which could have allowed for a fair wage for these public servants and a reduction of turnover, especially in the FHP.

At his recent press conference in Tampa, it was stated that our FHP statewide has over 200 open positions. In Manatee County alone there are eight unfilled trooper positions. How is our growing state and county able to keep up with the demand for service when this one agency is over 200 positions short?

Shame on you, Gov. Scott!

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Shame on Gov. Rick Scott for being hypocritical on law enforcement pay raises."