Rick Scott gives FHP troopers a 5 percent pay raise, but it’s probably not enough

For the first time in five years, rookie Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Florida will receive a 5 percent pay raise.

Gov. Rick Scott met with troopers in Miami-Dade before making the announcement earlier today.

Scott first announced his proposal for the pay raise as part of his recommended budget back in December. With starting pay at $33,900, Florida is ranked last in the country out of all state trooper salaries.

“We must always do everything we can to recognize our law enforcement officers and let them know how much we appreciate their service,” Scott said in his statement last year.

FHP Col. Gene Spaulding says the pay increase won’t solve all of the agency’s problems, as there are 200 trooper positions that need to be filled, but it should be a step in the right direction, WPLG reports.

“We don’t want to be at the top of the spectrum on salaries, we just want to be competitive,” Spaulding said. “We want to be in the game and to make sure that the people we train stay with the state and protect the roadways and the citizens of the state long-term for a career.”

This article appears in Jul 12-18, 2017.