After considering making a political maneuver on the bills, Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the cigarette tax hike, 85-30, and the gambling bill, 82-35.

Democrats who opposed the cigarette tax bill were Leonard Bembry of Greenville, Debbie Boyd of Newberry, James Bush and Luis Garcia of Miami and Kevin Rader of Delray Beach. Republicans Brad Drake, Ed Homan, Paige Kreegel, Bryan Nelson and Baxter Troutman did not vote.

On the gambling bill, Democrats opposing the bill were Boyd, Bembry and Bush. Republicans Will Weatherford, Ed Homan and Doug Holder did not vote.

Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, said he abandoned a strategy on the gambling bill out of respect for Rep. Bill Galvano.

“As many of you know, I’ve been somewhat critical this year of some of the things that have happened this session, whether it was oil drilling amendment being offered at the last minute without really any notice, having an elections bill that didn’t have much debate, or even not having much input in the early budget negotiations that resulted in overtime of session.

“So we’ve been critical because sometimes we felt like the democrats had been somewhat disrespected, it got to the point to where we considered, at least considering asking some of my fellow Democrats to vote no on this bill just to send a message that our input is important.

“I seriously considered that but we didn’t do it, or I didn’t do it for one reason. Because of one person – chair Bill Galvano.

During this whole process all session, he’s been very fair to the democrats and he’s listened to us. He’s been a man of his word and in this process that’s the most important thing I can say but someone: he or she keeps his work. By doing that, Bill Galvano has earned my respect and therefore I’ll be supporting this bill.”

Tags: Bill Galvano, Ron Saunders

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