Gov. Desantis pitches funding proposal for Florida law enforcement, including pay increases
Orlando, Fl (treasurecoast.com) – Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke Monday afternoon in Central Florida to announce his budget requests for law enforcement in the next fiscal year.
The governor held the briefing at a Florida Highway Patrol station in Orlando and was joined by FHP Chief Mark Brown.
DeSantis said Monday he is asking for lawmakers in the next fiscal year to approve $73 million to increase the minimum pay for entry-level sworn state law enforcement officers by 20 percent.
He also wants $5,000 bonuses to recruit and retain both state and local level law enforcement.
In addition, the governor said there is enough money in the budget to also renew $1,000 bonuses for all sworn law enforcement, EMTs and first responders for a second year.
He is seeking a large boost in pay for all state officers currently serving in the Sunshine State.
In addition, the governor is asking for $124 million from the Legislature to increase salaries for correctional officers at state prisons, bringing the base salary up to $20 an hour.
The governor wants to also use $11 million for the Department of Juvenile Justice to increase minimum pay for juvenile detention officers to $17 an hour and $19 an hour for juvenile probation officers.
The governor once again said he is making a push to recruit officers from other states if they are not satisfied in their current role.
All in all, the governor is asking for $400 million in new funding proposals.