TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - State workers could no longer make charitable donations through their paychecks under a bill passed by the Florida House.
The House voted 100-13 on Wednesday for a bill that would permanently eliminate the state’s annual fundraising drive.
The legislation (HB 651) also prohibits anyone from soliciting money from state workers, although it says “non-coercive voluntary communications” between co-workers are allowed.
Rep. Clay Yarborough, a Jacksonville Republican sponsoring the bill, said there is no need to have an official fundraising drive because state workers can give money online now.
The administration of Gov. Rick Scott suspended the annual charity drive in 2016. Donations plummeted after the Scott administration shifted control from the United Way of Florida to a New Jersey company.
Rep. Loranne Ausley criticized the bill and said the state’s charitable campaign boosted worker morale.
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