Updated: Crist giving state workers two days off during the holidays By Bill Cotterell * Florida Capital Bureau * December 19, 2008 As a holiday thank-you to state employees, Governor Charlie Crist today announced that Florida government will shut down on the Fridays after Christmas and New Year's Day. Since the holidays fall on Thursdays, the governor said, a lot of employees use a vacation day for a long weekend. But with the state budget tightening, excluding any pay raises or other improvements in benefits over the past few legislative sessions, Crist said he wanted to show appreciation for state workers.
He also paid tribute to state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, who suggested the paid time off. She joined Crist at a news conference and said she'd tried for a week or two, but was glad to get employees the two days. Prison officers, law enforcement agents and other essential employees will still be on duty -- just as they are for the holidays themselves -- but will get a couple of make-up days of paid time off after Jan. 2. Crist also said hopes to avoid layoffs, pay cuts or unpaid furloughs for state employees in the new budget year. He couldn't make any promises but said President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus package might provide the state with a revenue windfall that will soften some of the blow, in a $2.3 billion projected revenue shortfall. The Legislature meets in special session Jan. 5-16 to deal with the economic crisis confronting the state. -- "I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." ~Marilyn Monroe --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Black Focus Inc." group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Black-Focus-Inc?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
