Gov. Scott proposes 5 percent raise for law enforcement

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Rick Scott will recommend a five percent pay increase for law enforcement for the 2017-2018 budget, according to a press release.

Scott announced his proposal at 9:30 a.m. at a Florida Highway Patrol station in Orlando.

Multiple state agencies will benefit from this raise including: the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with others, according to Scott’s press release.

Florida Highway Patrol Director Colonel Gene Spaulding was appreciative of Scott’s reccomendation, and felt this budgetary increase will benefit the officers.

“Our troopers work tirelessly to patrol Florida’s roadways and respond to the needs of the tens of millions of motorists that travel our roads each year,” Spaulding said. “The continued support of Governor Scott is keeping our roads and communities safe.”

Scott said that the officers deserve a raise due to the many obstacles they’ve faced this past year, according to a press release.

“This year, Florida’s state law enforcement officers were put to the test like never before. In June, we experienced the horrific terror attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando – the deadliest mass shooting in American History, Scott said. “Just a few months later, two major hurricanes and a tropical storm swept across our state.”