Last month, Gov. Charlie Crist said he opposed legislative plans to cut
employee pay. But now he seems to reluctantly accept the plan that legislative
leaders have proposed: a 2 percent pay cut on those earning more than $45,000.
State savings: about $25 million.

“You’d rather not have to do that. But I think all of us understand these are
challenging times and we have to live within our means. Hopefully, it will be
better next year," Crist said.

The House initially wanted a far bigger cut. The Senate wanted less.

“Almost 80 percent of state employees will have no pay cut whatsoever, and 2
percent for the rest. That’s not the end of the world,” said Senate budget chief
J.D. Alexander.

The paycut proposal exempts the college and university system because,
lawmakers say, they don't want to hurt recruiting in the higher-education
system. Everyone else, including legislative staffers, will get a cut. State
lawmakers are trimming their own $30,000 salaries by 6 percent.