Haridopolos Completes Senate Staff Shuffle, Saves $1 Million

Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos today announced that he has trimmed that chamber's operating budget by $1,063,239.

Completing the hiring of the president's office and staff director positions, the Merritt Island Republican also announced the appointment of two state government veterans:

• Former House Clerk John Phelps will serve as staff director of the Rules and Calendar Committee.
• Terry Rhodes will serve in a dual capacity as special assistant to the president and staff director of the Committee on Ethics and Elections. She is currently chief of staff at the state Department of Agriculture.

Haridopolos said the seven-figure cost savings were obtained through staff departures and position consolidations.