Haridopolos 'Lost Confidence' in Fasano on Budget

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said he has lost confidence that Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, would help the chamber work toward balancing the budget without raising taxes.

Haridopolos on Wednesday removed Fasano as chairman of the Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriation and from his seat on the Senate Committee on Budget.

Fasano has led efforts to block the controversial prison privatization bill, which was expected to be voted on by the Senate Wednesday. Haridopolos said the proposal, projected to save the state at least $16.5 million a year, will return next week.

Haridopolos said he informed Fasano of his decision after the Senate floor session on Wednesday.

He was not rowing the same direction as the other budget chairs, Haridopolos told reporters.

Fasano has sent out a statement in which he says he will continue to vote his conscience.

At least 10 Republican senators are opposed to or have yet to decide if they will support the bill, SB 2038.

Haridopolos said the removal of Fasano wasnt a message to other senators that have yet to make a decision on the bill.

If the bill fails to advance, Haridopolos said the Legislature will have to make $16 million to $30 million in cuts elsewhere in the budget that is faced with a $1.7 billion shortfall.

Im asking other budget chairmen to make difficult cuts and it was clear to me Senator Fasano was not willing to make those difficult cuts, Haridopolos said.