Scott wants Fla. employees to pay toward pensions

Gov. Rick Scott wants to cut pension benefits for state workers, teachers and many local government employees while also requiring that they contribute 5 percent of their salaries to the Florida Retirement System.

The new Republican governor also said Tuesday he didn't think he's politicizing the rollout of his budget recommendations by doing it at a tea party event next week in Eustis.

Scott jetted to Naples, his hometown, to announce that his recommended pension changes would save $2.8 billion over two years.

Florida is the only state that doesn't require at least some employees to contribute to their pension plan. Scott said that's not fair to other taxpayers.

Pensions are hardly lavish, averaging $16,000 to $23,000 a year, Templin said.