Sen. Mike Bennett Becomes President Pro Tem of Florida Senate

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, was formally elected and sworn in as president pro tem of the Florida Senate.

Bennett decried the rampant spending during the economic boom times that led to what he called "entitlement slavery."

"We allowed government to grow well beyond our means. When the permit to take and repair a water heater costs more than the actual water heater, something is wrong with government," Bennett said.

In order to regain fiscal discipline in the state, the sacrifices must be borne by the state, he said. Listing a series of issues the Legislature needs to tackle, Bennett indicated his stance that the people should not be made to suffer for the government's ineptitude.

"Let's not do it on the backs of the teachers, let's do it by controlling costs of capital improvements," Bennet said, referring to education reform.