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A hearing on the state pension lawsuit set for today was cancelled.  Monday makes four months since a judge heard a challenge to the state requirement that employees contribute three percent of their salaries to their pensions. After the requirement took effect in July, employees called it an illegal pay cut, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, took the case to court.

From heavy equipment operators to teachers to firefighters, more than a half million public servants have paid more than 800 million dollars toward their pensions this year. The required three percent levy began in July and has been in court ever since.

The sticking point is a 1974 law that says a fully paid pension is a contract. Back in October, employees argued the state could only change the contract for new employees

“We have a contract that the legislature made and the legislature now can’t simply get out of,” Ron Meyer, attorney for the Florida Education Association, said.

A private law firm hired by the state has been paid almost a half million dollars so far to handle the case. They told a skeptical judge the state could make any change, anytime it wanted.

“The legislature does not have to go back to the bargaining table when it is deciding funding issues,” attorney for the state Doug Hinson said.

After paying the three percent for almost a year, disgruntled employees came to the Capitol this past week. Heavy equipment operator Keith Dibell says the three percent contribution is another word for a pay cut.

“If I was making 6 digits, I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad. But I’m not,” Dibell said.

Reporter: How much are you making?

“Do you really want to know? 27,000 a year,” he replied.

State lawmakers and the Governor originally sought to take five percent from employees, but they compromised after an outcry.

If the new pension contribution law is found to be unconstitutional, the state would have to pay back all the money it has collected from state workers.  Today the House Speaker said he doesn’t expect the state to lose the case, but if it does, the money refund money would be available.