Legislative Leaders Predict Major Changes in Upcoming Session
Monday, March 7, 2011
By: James Call, Florida Public Radio

March 7, 2011 | WMFE - Lawmakers are gathering in Tallahassee ahead of the opening of the Florida Legislature's annual session Tuesday morning The state is facing a massive budget deficit and many cuts to state services are on the table. Both Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon say the session will be defined by the state's severe budget crisis. The Republican leaders enjoy super majorities in both chambers to enact their agenda but very little money to spend. They agree however that it's in the long-term best interest of the state to have a smaller and less expensive government.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2000 and assumed the Senate presidency in November.  The Merritt Island Republican began preparing to lead the Senate more than 4 years  ago by raising money for candidates receptive to his ideas. 

In the last election cycle, Haridopolos broke with tradition and took sides in the Republican primaries.  With the GOP holding 26 of 40 Senate seats, Haridopolos has the votes to exert his will on how Florida closes a $4 billion dollar budget shortfall, evaluates a teacher’s performance in the classroom and the level of medical care Florida provides to the elderly, the poor and catastrophically sick.

“I feel that the Florida Senate has not been as conservative as it should be.” Haridopolos said, “I think if you ask Jeb Bush, if you talk to past House Speakers, they felt that the overall body was moderate. It was one which very sympathetic to unions, very sympathetic to trial lawyers, very sympathetic to the idea that the government does not need to go on a diet.”

Haridopolos has a friend in House Speaker Dean Cannon. The Republican from Winter Park was first elected to the House in  2004 and jokes that his wife would like his political career to end with his speaker-ship next year. 

Like Haridopolos and Governor Rick Scott, Cannon believes government spending and regulation stifles economic growth.  With 81 Republican Representatives to the Democrats 39, Cannon has the votes to steer state policy towards his view.

“The regulatory burden and the tax burden visited upon small business by the government needs to have a serious look.” Cannon said, “And I couldn’t be more excited about the enthusiasm for a common sense conservative approach coming out of the Senate that we in the House share. I’m excited about working with them.”

When he was installed as Speaker in November, Cannon issued a challenge to House Members.  He described a terrible temptation for politicians:  “A belief that we in Tallahassee can make all things better through government.” he said, “So in the next two years I’m going to challenge you to ask a much harder question.  Instead of asking what government can do to fix a problem or prevent a potential wrong when confronting the problems facing our state. I challenge you to ask whether government should be involved at all.” Cannon continued, “Or perhaps, better yet, what can government stop doing that will allow greater freedom to our citizens.” 

Cannon has compiled a list of bills he wants voted out of the House and sent to the Senate in the session’s first week.  A proposal reducing the number of weeks a worker can collect unemployment compensation leads the list.  Before lawmakers leave in May, they will also tackle Medicaid reform. The Senate is working on a proposal to move most patients into HMO-like plans. 

Also high on the list is a controversial teacher-tenure bill that former Governor Charlie Crist vetoed last year. Backers say this year’s proposal is more focused on merit pay.  

Senate President Haridopolos says the legislature is merely following the will of the people as expressed in the recent election. “Clearly the voters spoke and if we didn’t change directions we would be unresponsive to voters.” Haridopolos said, “Look, the Senate from a year ago to this year is a very different place. I think you have seen it in some of the votes that have already taken place. It is a much more financially conservative place. And I think the policies we are pushing now reflect that.”

The policy changes will be reflected in the state budget, which economists say will be about $4.6 billion dollars short of maintaining current spending levels. Tuesday, the first day of session, groups across Florida are planning to protest proposals to close that gap.  Lawmakers will have until May to decide how to balance the state budget.