State Employees
Unfortunately, the 2007 legislative sessions did not recognize the contribution of state employees or retirees. State emplyees received a paltry bonus amounting to little more than $650 after taxes. Retirees continued to see record increases in insurance costs with no corresponding increase in the health insurance subsidy. Rep. Ausley continues to work with Senator Lawson to draw attention to these issues and to the hard work of state employees across the state.
2005 LEGISLATURE FINALLY RECOGNIZES STATE EMPLOYEES
After several years of little or no pay raises, increased health insurance costs and increased privatization of government functions, the 2005 legislature represented a turning point for Florida’s state employees. State employees received an unprecedented and well deserved 3.6% pay raise with no significant health insurance increases.
Privatization and Outsourcing
Representative Ausley remains extremely concerned about the increase in privatization and outsourcing of government functions. She has sponsored legislation every year to require an exhaustive cost-benefit analaysis before contracting over a certain dollar amount, as well as increased contract monitoring and contingency plans. Representative Ausley believes that without strong evidence indicating that a private company can do it better or cheaper, or both, government services simply should not be privatized.
During the 2005 legislative session, committees in both the House and Senate took a long hard look at some of the significant outsourcing problems Florida has faced. The "People First" contract continues to cause real heartache for a number of state employees, but it has served as a good example of what can go wrong without appropriate contracting safeguards. As a result, the legislature finally took action on some common sense government accountability reform. Unfortunately, Governor Bush vetoed one of the key pieces of legislation which was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate. Rep. Ausley has called for the legislature to override the veto. See the Tallahassee Democrat article: Oversight Veto Fuels Quarrel.
"People First?"
Early in her first term, Representive Ausley strongly opposed the outsourcing of the state’s human resources and payroll systems. The contract with Convergys, dubbed "People First", went forward without a cost-benefit analysis, without checks at each stage of the contract, and without monitoring or contingency plans. Several years into the $350 million project, it is not working - time sheets are time consuming, paychecks have gone missing or been issued in the wrong amounts, and employees have had insurance dropped for no apparent reason. While these problems are being addressed, they are not fixed, and these problems with Convergys demonstrate the perils of outsourcing without proper safeguards. Rep. Ausley will continue to work through the legislative process to watch this issue closely. People First Could Use Disaster Aid
Raising Per Diem Rates
Many state employees must travel as a part of their job. Unfortunately, the State of Florida has not raised per diem rates since 1982, which creates an undue hardship on these employees who must either find a place to eat meals at unrealistically low prices, or supplement the state rate with money from their own pockets. During the 2003, 2004 and 2005 legislative sessions, Representative Ausley worked with Senator Lawson on legislation that would have raised per diem, subsistence and mileage rates to the federal levels. Although these efforts have not been successful, this remains a top priority issue for Rep. Ausley, and House Speaker Allan Bense has indicated his willingness to work with her to pass meaningful legislation in the 2006 legislative session.
Tuition Waivers
The 2001 legislature eliminated the space available tuition waiver program that allowed state employees to attend classes within Florida’s State University System. In 2002, Rep. Ausley worked hard to restore this important option. The popular program allows state employees to take up to 6 hours of credit at Florida’s universities and community colleges on a space available basis. This is an important benefit that provides an opportunity for state employees to enhance their education and training.
State Library
During the 2003 legislative session, the legislature addressed the issue of moving the State Library which is currently housed at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. First, the discussion was a move of the entire collection to NOVA Southeastern University in Broward County. After limited public debate, but much public outcry, the decision was made to move one part of the collection. Librarians across the state objected to this proposal as well. Representative Ausley worked closely with librarians and other interested parties to keep them informed and to ensure that their voices were heard. Representative Ausley will continue to monitor this issue to ensure that this important resoure remains in the State capital.
House Votes to Keep State Library in Tallahassee (4/5/03)
Collective Bargaining
The 2002 legislature included efforts to change the bargaining procedure for state employees (see Tallahassee Democrat article from 2/13/02: Bill Targets Hearing for Unions .)