Haridopolos: Budget Review Under Way as Session hits Midpoint

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, released the following statement on Saturday regarding approaching the midpoint of the 90-day, 2012 legislative session:

"As we approach the midpoint of the 2012 legislative session, I want to pause and reflect on the accomplishments that we have already made and look ahead to the remaining five weeks of the session.

"First, I want to applaud the work our chamber has done on what is one of the most daunting tasks this Legislature faces -- redistricting. Under the leadership of Senator Don Gaetz, we passed our redistricting plans with bipartisan support in the second week of the session. I was proud to see our chamber come together and move quickly but deliberatively on this vital issue.

"We have also found consensus on other key issues. One that I am happy to see moving forward is Senator (Joe) Negron's PIP bill. This week, it passed its first committee of reference with unanimous support. This is the first step toward tackling a complex issue and I look forward to seeing it progress through the committee process.

"On the topic of our other constitutional duty -- balancing the state's budget --we have moved cautiously and methodically as my fellow senators encouraged me to use my discretion in crafting our budget in a letter following my remarks on the opening day of session.

"Next week, we will begin to see our budget subcommittees working on allocations. Because of the early session, we have gained an extra week that we would normally take off to observe the Easter holiday, and we will use that time to prepare our budget. In the coming weeks, I look forward to seeing our budget take shape and working closely with our colleagues in the House to work out any differences the two chambers may have.

"It has been a productive four weeks, and as we approach the midpoint I want to congratulate and thank my fellow senators for their hard work and dedication so far this session."