Rick Scott: Jacksonville public pension debate a ‘local decision’

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wants new city hires on defined contribution plans. Public safety unions want the Florida Retirement System. And Rick Scott will let the locals figure it out, he said Thursday in Jacksonville.

“That’s clearly a local decision. This community will make a decision on that,” the governor said.

“I think what’s important with regard to any retirement program is it needs to be a program the taxpayers can afford. It needs to be a program that, if you are in the system, you feel comfortable that if you’re going to rely on it, that it’s going to be funded,” Scott said.

When asked if FRS was a program the taxpayers can afford, Scott said “the issue with regards to what happens in this area will clearly be a local issue. I know at the state level, I’ve worked to make sure that the pension plan is fully funded … I’m going to continue to work that way.”

Scott signed off on Mayor Curry’s bill requesting a referendum. But he’s not investing political capital into the Jacksonville mayor’s push for 401K plans for new public safety hires.