Haridopolos, Cannon Shoot Down 'Turkeys' Ahead of Thanksgiving

Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon have informed their colleagues there won't be any budget "turkeys" this year.

In memos to members, the legislative leaders announced that they will not open the Community Budget Issue Request System, which enables lawmakers to secure special-project funding without the usual committee hearings or administrative requests.

"I want to avoid creating unrealistic funding expectations," wrote Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, of the pet projects that have been branded "turkeys" by Florida TaxWatch.

The budget move is Tallahassee's version of banning "earmarks" on Capitol Hill. The state and federal appropriations are barely a sliver of total annual outlays, but they are laden with symbolism as lawmakers gird for bigger budget battles ahead.