Florida Governor Rick Scott wants to end Florida's retirement system, and require workers to pay into their pension funds. Florida does not currently require workers to pay into their pension plans. The governor believes that the plans are unfair to taxpayers, and that the move is necessary for the pension fund's stability, as well as to cut a large budget deficit. In past years, the legislature has raised local contributions to pension funds for occupations like police and firefighters, in what some see as politically motivated decisions. While the Governor acknowledges that the change may be seen as a pay cut, he says it is necessary. The specific plan is expected to be released on February 7.
See "State workers fear likely pension fees", Mary Ellen Klas, The Miami Herald, January 30, 2011