Mike Haridopolos Representing Florida Senate District 26

PRESS RELEASE: Haridopolos Demands Action from Washington

Jul 7, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Haridopolos seeks answers from Senator Nelson for failed policies and inaction

TALLAHASSEE - On Tuesday, Florida Senate President-Designate Mike Haridopolos sent a letter to United States Senator Bill Nelson demanding explanations for a variety of broken promises, failed government mandates and inaction in the face of crisis. “In a time of record unemployment, Floridians have only had their problems compounded by the coming bill for health care ‘reform,’ a complete lack of support for a space program that employs thousands, and the federal government’s slow response in shielding them from the economic impacts of the oil spill. Florida deserves better, especially from its senior senator. We need true leadership, not more of the same inaction,” Haridopolos writes.

Haridopolos has been particularly concerned by Senator Nelson and President Obama abandoning their previous campaign commitment to continue the shuttle program and close the gap for space workers, a move that will likely cost the space coast 9,000 jobs or more. Haridopolos also commented that the pair had fallen from wrong to downright absurd Sunday when news reports revealed that the President had instructed NASA chief Charles Bolden that the “foremost” mission of NASA should be to make other nations “feel good about their historic contribution to science… math and engineering,” [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/05/nasa-chief-frontier-better-relations-muslims/].

As the incoming President of the Florida Senate, many have speculated that Haridopolos and his colleagues may face a six billion dollar budget shortfall.  Experts say this number will grow significantly because of several factors including continued economic pressures due to Congress’ deficit spending, increased taxes from the Obama administration, unfunded Medicaid mandates being passed down from Washington, and the economic impact of the Gulf oil spill. 

While some have already started suggesting cuts to various programs including education, public safety, state property insurance programs and others, Haridopolos said he intended to fight back, putting emphasis on identifying and cutting waste.  “I am intent on finding billions of dollars of wasteful spending in Florida’s budget and balancing our budget the same way working families do.”  Haridopolos said.  “We will not force tax increases or debt upon the backs of Floridians and are already working to find significant savings internally in the Senate and more throughout state government.”

Haridopolos summarized his disappointment with Washington by saying, “Washington’s incompetence is making a mess of our economy and our futures, spending trillions on the deficit, handing down unfunded mandates to Florida and failing to act decisively on the catastrophic oil spill. Yet, in spite of all of their failures, we will balance Florida’s budget, and we will continue to clean up the messes Washington makes.”

“We know that many Congressmen don’t read bills before they pass them, but maybe Senator Nelson will read this letter.  We’ll see.”

###