Senate President Mike Haridopolos Brings Back SunPass Discount

As part of its budget discussions Thursday, the Florida Senate passed a measure that would end the discount for users of the state's SunPass system, which allows drivers to breeze through tolls with an electronic pass. Senate President Mike Haridopolos killed that idea Friday, saying he would reinstate the discount, which proponents say would net the state $100 million.

But for Haridopolos, who has repeatedly stated his intention not to increase taxes in the face of a $3.8 billion budget shortfall, the measure came too close to a tax hike.

"I've let it be known that we will not be adjusting those, the discounts will stay in place. We think that, especially as you commute across the state of Florida, the best thing to do is to keep those discounts in place. If nothing else, people may be recognizing that they're getting a discount when they're getting a SunPass. I think it's to their benefit to save them time and, of course, money as well," Haridopolos said. "We will not be having that as part of our negotiations moving forward," he added.

The SunPass discount was closed as part of the Senate's initial budget, and an amendment to keep the discount offered by Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, failed in a voice vote Thursday. Haridopolos said the vote was fairly even, but it required a two-thirds majority to pass at the time.