Website provides state employee salaries

By Carrie A. Mizell

“Florida Has A Right To Know,” so says Governor Rick Scott who launched a new website in March that provides access to frequently requested public records, including a state employee salary database.
With the simple click of a mouse, Florida citizens can now find out the annual salary of state employees, ranging from Gilchrist County Judge Edward Philman, who makes $134,280 each year to Shannon Varnes, warden at Lancaster Correctional Institute whose annual salary is $87,550.32, to Fanning Springs Park Ranger Andrew Moody who makes $25,691.16 each year.
In launching the website, Governor Scott stated, “As the Jobs Governor, I am working to make Florida the best place to work, live, and play. We are changing how Florida does business by eliminating burdensome regulation, reducing state spending, cutting taxes and holding government accountable.”
While the governor said the database provides transparent, outcome-based budgets so that citizens can measure results and hold government accountable, some say it’s an invasion of privacy. Not Judge Ed Philman, who said on Monday that he doesn’t mind people knowing how much money he makes.
“I feel blessed to have the job I have,” Philman said. “And every time I speak at one of the schools that’s the first question kids ask me, ‘How much money do you make?’ It’s not a secret.”
These days it’s as simple as going to http://www.floridahasarighttoknow.com/ On the website, all one has to do is type in a person’s name. The individual’s name pops up along with the agency they work for, their position, salary, hire date and contract records.
“As taxpayers, you have the right to know how every taxpayer dollar is spent,” Governor Scott stated. “This new website will give you the tools you need to learn about state contracts, state employees’ salaries, and regulations. I invite you to visit it often and see how we are doing. We will be better if you hold us accountable.”