Stressing his agenda of reforming Medicaid and the state pension system, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, showed in his legislative opening address that he has far more in common with Gov. Rick Scott's objectives than he has disagreement.
He did, however, make a point of heaping skepticism on Scott's plan to cut taxes.
Haridopolos remarked that the state faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit. But his words fell on deaf ears, because although Scott attended the opening of the session in the Senate chambers, he left before Haridopolos' speech began.
"We must, of course, continue to hold the line against new taxes, however great the strain. I doubt any of you think that now is the time to increase the tax burden of Floridians. I know most of us believe that the appropriate frequency of tax increases roughly coincides with appearances of Haleys comet.And I agree with you. And taxes have no more ruthless enemy than me. Whether we can actually reduce taxes at the present time, in a responsible way, remains to be seen. If anyone can show me how we can realistically feed the increasing multitude with even fewer fish and less bread than we have now, then I will gladly follow him," Haridopolos said.
But the Senate president also pledged support for Scott's move to halt regulations that hamper the ability of businesses to grow and thrive.
"Another area where restraint can go a long way in aiding recovery is what I think of as responsible regulation. I compliment Governor Scott for his bold initiatives in this area.He can count on my unstinting support for vetting our regulations past and future with new standards based on real need and common sense. When it comes to regulation, government should require no more of its people than their actual health, safety and welfare demands. More than that is meddling, and arrogance to boot," he said.
Overall, Haridopolos' speech to open the Senate for 2011 was part history lesson, part Biblical lesson and part pep talk for his fellow senators, as he invoked the words of Winston Churchill, the Old and New Testaments, and Shakespeare. He drafted off Churchill in declaring his hope that this session will mark the "beginning of the end" of Florida's harsh economic times.
"In November 1942, after three grim years of defeat, the British won a great victory in North Africa that proved to be a turning point in World War II.Winston Churchill famously said at the time that it was not the end, or even the beginning of the end. But, perhaps, it was the end of the beginning," Haridopolos said, adding later that, "We are certainly not at the end of this recession, but I hope we can go Churchill one better-- perhaps we are at the beginning of the end."
Haridopolos acknowledged the large scope of reforms being addressed by the Legislature this year, and the inevitable opposition that will come, but encouraged the members of his chamber not to lose heart.
"So, if it is true that adversity builds character, then every one of you can count on being a much better person by the time we adjourn in 60 days," he said.
He closed by attempting to pump up his fellow senators ahead of the 60-day session.
"So, on this opening day I close by saying to you: 'Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more,'" Haridopolos said.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on a slate of substantive bills during this busy first week.
Senators will be voting later Tuesday on the "Health Care Freedom Act," a measure backed by Haridopolos that would put a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot. The amendment would allow Floridians to opt out of the year-old federal health care law. Other votes on the "smart cap" bill, merit pay for teachers and a crashworthiness tort reform bill will come later in the week.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com, or at (850) 727-0859.
