House Bill 656 , authored by Representative Mark Baker of Brandon,  Ms. This bill does essentially the same thing as SB-2380, and needs to be opposed.  It has also came out of the House committee recommendation to pass. it will go to a vote of the full House within the next several days.

 

CALL OR EMAIL YOUR STATE SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE  IMMEDIATELY IN OPPOSITION TO THE PASSAGE OF THESE BILLS.
 

When every current state law enforcement officer was hired,  it was the State that set forth the employment qualifications as well as the conditions of their employment, which included a condition that the state would afford them “Due Process” . These employees accepted those conditions of employment in good faith. The State should now honor that commitment. Accountability starts at the top and being accountable includes honoring your commitments. There is no doubt that due to financial conditions the jobs of some state employees will be lost regardless of the process used, this is acknowledged. The issue is that the legislature should honor the commitment to these employees and do any needed reductions and reorganizations under the provisions that are already in place and were a condition of employment when they were hired.