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Tallahassee, Fla. – “I was surprised by Mike Haridopolos’ announcement today. Anytime a statewide race loses a principled conservative like Mike Haridopolos in a race of this importance, it is a sad day for our state. He was a great help to me during the legislative session as we put steps in place to turn Florida’s economy around and get Floridians back to work. I look forward to his continued leadership during the upcoming legislative session.”
TweetSenate Moves to Debate Call for Shared Sacrifice While Haridopolos, Hasner and LeMieux Stay on the Sidelines
A bipartisan group of Senators voted to move forward with a debate on a resolution that would call for millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes, but Mike Haridopolos, Adam Hasner, and George LeMieux are sitting on the sidelines, leaving Floridians wondering whose side they are on. Florida Democrats are calling for Haridopolos, Hasner, and LeMieux to finally stand up for middle class families in Florida, not just millionaires.
“At virtually every opportunity they’ve had, Republicans have rushed to protect tax breaks for millionaires and their special interest backers,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith. “Republican priorities couldn’t be more misguided and the silence from Mike Haridopolos, Adam Hasner, and George LeMieux is deafening.”
TweetToday the Florida Senate sent a resounding message to Washington D.C. that it needs to follow the lead of the individual states by balancing the federal budget. Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 calls for a federal constitutional convention for the sole purpose of placing a proposed balanced budget amendment in the United States Constitution.
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos will hold a media availability Wednesday, April 27, 20 minutes after the completion of the afternoon Senate session. The availability will be held in the Members’ Conference Room, The President’s Office, 409 – The Capitol.
Media Availability
Wednesday, April 27
20 minutes after the completion of the afternoon Senate Session
409 The Capitol
Members’ Conference Room
###
CONTACT | David Bishop | 850-487-5229 | bishop.david@flsenate.gov
TweetTALLAHASSEE – I thank Governor Scott for his decision today to lift a hold on a percentage of funding for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. These funds are critical in assisting some of the neediest residents of our state. Because of a lack of oversight by the previous administration, the agency significantly overspent its allocated budget. Governor Scott’s initial decision to freeze a portion of APD’s budget was an effort to get a better handle on the situation. I applaud the Governor for those efforts.
To resolve the issue, I’ve worked with Governor Scott and House Speaker Dean Cannon to ensure that those Floridians who rely on this funding will receive the full amount of services provided by the State. This is prime example of the role government should play in our lives – helping the neediest among us.
TweetTALLAHASSEE – After the federal government nearly shutdown over an effort to reduce Washington’s deficit spending, Senate President Mike Haridopolos today announced that he will sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, calling for a federal constitutional convention to add a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.
… Continue Reading
TALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos today thanked the Florida Department of Health for the decision to begin operation of Florida’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Created by the Legislature in 2009, the drug database will target prescriptions in an effort to track criminal activity.
“The database will provide ‘shock and awe’ in Florida’s efforts to end the criminal abuse of legal prescription drugs,” said Senate President Haridopolos. “In addition to the Senate’s commitment to the database, pending legislation will strengthen the prescription drug monitoring program and provide even stronger privacy protections for individual Floridians.”
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos will hold a media availability Thursday, April 7, 15 minutes after the completion of the Senate session. The availability will be held in the Members’ Conference Room, The President’s Office, 409 – The Capitol.
Media Availability
Thursday, April 7
15 minutes after the completion of the Senate Session
409 The Capitol
Members’ Conference Room
###
CONTACT | David Bishop | 850-487-5229 | bishop.david@flsenate.gov
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos made the following statement upon the Senate Rules Committee moving forward with major ethics reform: … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos released the following statement on the House passing Senate Bill 736 – the Student Success Act:
Today is an historic day with the House of Representatives passage of the Student Success Act. The legislation is a keystone in Florida’s efforts to provide quality education in our classrooms. While the legislation rewards outstanding teachers and reforms the state’s instructional workforce, the real winners are Florida’s students.
I applaud Senator Steve Wise for sponsoring this bill, the House of Representatives for its prompt passage and welcome Governor Rick Scott’s signature.
Tweet~~ Proposed Constitutional Amendment Caps Budget Growth to Floridians Income Growth ~~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Senate sent a resounding message to Floridians today that state government will not grow any faster than a family’s ability to pay for it. Senators voted to place a “Smart Cap” on the government’s budget by passing Senate Joint Resolution 958, sponsored by Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-Ft. Lauderdale) and long championed by Senate President Mike Haridopolos. … Continue Reading
TweetTO: Members, Florida House of Representatives
FROM: Dean Cannon, Speaker
DATE: March 11, 2011
RE: Joint Offices and Committees
Over the last year, the Florida House has led an effort to streamline the joint legislative offices and reduce the number of joint committees. Yesterday, with the passage of SB 1204, we took another step toward ensuring that the operations of our joint offices and committees are fully integrated with and relevant to the actual work of the Florida Legislature.
Attached please find a letter from Senate President Mike Haridopolos and myself appointing the coordinators of the joint legislative units. In addition, I have made the following appointments to the three joint committees.
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced today that Purdue Pharma L. P. has offered $1 million to provide two years of funding for the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). The $1 million grant will be used to help Florida fight the illegal selling and abuse of prescription medication. … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos released the following statement on Governor Rick Scott’s State of the State address:
I congratulate Governor Scott for laying out a vision for Florida that will result in the economic turnaround we so badly need in our state. The message of getting to work that propelled him to the Governor’s office has carried forward in his role as Florida’s chief executive. The Governor’s vision for Florida is bold and decisive. The Florida Senate is prepared to work with him to accomplish the goals he discussed in his State of the State address. During the next 60 days, his agenda will get a thorough review in the Senate. We all share the same goal – getting Florida back to work.
Tweet~Senate President Haridopolos outlines two priorities – Reform and Restraint~
TALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos gaveled in the 2011 session of the Florida Senate today urging senators to embrace reforms needed to revitalize the state’s economy and stabilize the state’s budget while at the same time showing restraint by lessening burdens on Floridians.
Highlighting two essential Rs – Reform and Restraint, President Haridopolos urged the Senate to make changes to two major programs that cost taxpayers billions of dollars a year – Medicaid and government pensions. The reforms will both modernize those programs and provided needed certainly in Florida’s budget, which faces a $3.6 billion shortfall.
“The troubles we face today are the programmatic remnants of a government that was too large, too complacent and too wasteful. A government whose structural weaknesses were harshly exposed by the stress test that is this recession,” President Haridopolos told senators in his opening day speech. “We will have countless opportunities this year to address these troubles.”
TweetThe Florida Democratic Party today called on Senate President Mike Haridopolos to return the $152,000 he bilked from Florida’s taxpayers through his sweetheart book deal, reacting to the Associated Press reporting that, “The book also doesn’t come close to meeting the original contract’s call for a publishable, textbook-quality look at the development of the Florida Legislature, state constitution, the governor’s office and judiciary from pre-statehood until present.”
The book, which was finished in 2007, was finally made available yesterday through Amazon.com by Brevard Community College after controversy erupted on the issue. Florida Democratic Party Communications Director Eric Jotkoff said:
“After reading Mike Haridopolos’ book from cover to cover, I am honestly less informed about the legislative process than when I started.
Tweet“While Senators Altman and Joyner are free to file their petition with the Florida Supreme Court, I do not support their efforts. The Florida Senate will not join in their lawsuit For reasons I’ve previously explained, funding of the high rail project is not something we as a state and a country can afford. Is my intention to ensure that there is no money in the upcoming 2011-12 state budget to fund high speed rail. Florida is facing a $3.6 billion shortfall and that money can be put to better use. During these tough economic times, state government should focus on it’s needs not it’s wants.”
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Senate President Mike Haridopolos made the following statement after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood extended the high speed rail funding decision another week:
“Adding another week to the deadline for Florida to take $2.4 billion to build high speed rail won’t change my mind. No means no. Why is Washington working so hard to spend money it doesn’t have? Instead of letting that money burn a hole in his pocket, Secretary LaHood should send it back to the federal treasury. As our state and country continue to recover from a serious economic downturn, those who were elected to represent its citizens should make a serious commitment to reduce spending and have the ability to decide between our wants and our needs.”
“Again, I say no thank you to the federal government’s offer.”
http://www.flsenate.gov/Media/PressRelease/Show/Senators/2010-2012/District26/PressRelease/PressRelease20110225164244923
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Sachs Media Group this week released its annual Capitol Press Corps Guide, the resource to find and connect with reporters who cover Florida from the capital city. The pocket-sized 2013 guide is a listing of all major news outlets in Florida that have capital bureaus, including contact information for individual reporters who cover issues of statewide importance. The 2013 guide includes reporters’ Twitter handles, recognizing the growing importance of social media in reporting. Supplies are limited. To request a hard copy, email herbie@sachsmedia.com.
