Mike Haridopolos in as New Senate President

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has been formally elected and sworn in as Florida Senate president by his fellow senators.

In his speech, Haridopolos cited the need to work in a bipartisan fashion, despite the GOP's supermajority in the Senate. He said the chamber should focus on the legacy left to the next generation instead of partisan politics.

"It's not about the TV, it's not about politics, it's about them (our children)," Haridopolos said.

Yet the new Senate president also announced his strident belief in limited government, and sent a warning that bills which increase or bloat the size of government aren't going to be popular during his two years in charge.

"If your bill increases a tax, makes it easier to bring a lawsuit against your fellow Floridians, or increases bureaucratic red tape, I don't like your chances," he said. "Some people call that rhetoric; I call it reality," he added.

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