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Florida’s States Attorneys begged state lawmakers not to cut their budget, Wednesday. They argue that 95 percent of their budgets are for salaries. They told the House Safety and Security Council that budget cuts mean fewer prosecutors. It is a loss the state’s attorneys say Florida can’t afford. They said fewer prosecutors will translate into a higher crime rate.

“They’ve got to come up with a way to fund criminal justice because we’re going to have a public safety issue sooner or later,” said state attorney Willie Meggs.

Hundreds of prosecutors’ jobs could be cut in the next round of budget cuts. Most prosecutors are already making less than most private sector attorneys, and small salaries will make it harder to recruit.