Double dipping loophole closed

It may be the most sensible thing they’ve done all year. Today, a bill which would curb so-called “double-dipping” passed both houses of the Florida Legislature and awaits the signature of Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

The bill, HB 479, would prohibit state employees drawing both a salary and pension from the same agency. The loophole, which requires only that the employee be “retired” for thirty days before being rehired, has been utilised by more than 225 elected officials and 9,000 state employees, including several in Escambia County such as Tax Collector Janet Holley and Clerk of the Circuit Court Ernie Lee Magaha.

Links

• The Buzz: “Double-dipping passes Senate”
• The Buzz: “Double-dipping ban’s next stop is gov’s desk”