Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, was formally elected and sworn in as Florida Senate president Tuesday, then in an impassioned address signaled his intent to focus on the economy, limited government and fiscal discipline.
In his remarks, Haridopolos encouraged his fellow senators, who were sworn in just before his nomination for Senate president, to remember the generations to come after them when enacting legislation.
Our legacy is to leave this opportunity for them (our children). Our legacy will be their success, but their legacy is in jeopardy, Haridopolos said.
Tackling Floridas 12 percent unemployment rate is the senators top priority, and to that end he sounded a note of cooperation with Governor-elect Rick Scott.
When one out of eight people are out of work in Florida, that is unacceptable to everyone in this room, Haridopolos said from the Senate rostrum.
He encouraged bipartisanship in the upper chamber, but also sent a warning to legislators whose bills would increase the size of state government or the tax burden on citizens.
This is a time when Republicans and Democrats need to work together, Haridopolos said.
But if the special session called for by Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, in order to override some of outgoing Gov. Charlie Crists vetoes - flaunting their new supermajorities in both chambers - isnt enough to discourage government-inflating bills from being filed, the new Senate president made it clear.
If your bill raises a tax, or makes it easier to file a lawsuit against a fellow Floridian or increases bureaucratic red tape, I dont like your chances, the senator told his colleagues.
Democratic senators did not stand and cheer that statement as their Republican colleagues did, but the new minority party leaders struck a tone of bipartisanship when recognized on the Senate floor.
(Haridopolos) has been very generous with his time and we look forward to working with him for the good of the people of Florida, said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, who was named minority leader earlier on Tuesday.
Haridopolos was adamant about the road he will follow in attempting to turn around the states $2.5 billion shortfall.
We have two options - to raise taxes or spend less. We will spend less, he stated emphatically.
He also decried the policies of the federal government and the restraints it puts on Florida in running social programs, and reiterated his desire to impose Medicaid reform. The special session is scheduled to pass a non-binding resolution stating the legislatures intention to address the issue during the regular session next year.
In Washington, D.C., theyre not giving us a lot of flexibility, Haridopolos said.
Although some have criticized the upcoming special session and the new legislative leadership for rushing through the veto overrides and not giving the bills the proper attention, Haridopolos stated his belief in transparency and the need to have government business in the sunshine.
Not only do we have government in the sunshine, now we have spending in the sunshine. Every single piece of legislation in this body will go through three committees, Haridopolos said.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
