More than 65 Broward County public lawyers and staffers took to the street in front of the downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fla., courthouse Wednesday to protest proposed salary cuts for state employees.

Holding handmade signs and chanting "save our pay," employees contended lawmakers should not balance the budget by cutting pay for state workers. They argued state employees already are underpaid and overworked.

The House budget proposes a 4 percent to 5 percent pay cut based on salaries. The Senate proposes a 1 percent pay cut for employees making more than $100,000.

Protesters included people from the public defender's office, state attorney's office, conflict counsel office and court administration. Court interpreters and judicial assistants also came out.

Demonstrators encouraged passersby to honk to show their support and held signs reading "Salary cuts = income tax," "Single parent: don't take food from my children!!" and "Bite the hands that works for you: No to pay cuts!"

Two court interpreters held yellow balloons displaying sad smiley faces crying blood.

"We can't be squeezed any more," said interpreter Nancy Valladares.

Two assistant public defenders organized the lunch-hour protest and circulated a petition to send to Tallahassee, Fla. They estimated they have nearly 250 signatures and said the petition is spreading to other courthouses.

"If the Legislature wants to impose an income tax, let them call it that and put it on our ballots," said co-organizer W. Dale Miller. "They're balancing the budget on the backs of the least paid employees."