UPDATE: Scott goes to bed as session melts down
by Dara Kam | May 6th, 2011UPDATE: Senate’s going home until 10 a.m. Senate President Mike Haridopolos said he hopes they’ll get the tax cut bill by then. The tax cut measure (SB 7203) includes a component that would allow a Jacksonville greyhound track to get arcade-style slot machines. A track in Rules Chairman John Thrasher’s district is seeking the video slots.
Gov. Rick Scott has left the building as the legislative session devolved into chaos around midnight.
Forget the traditional sine die white hanky drop where the governor, House Speaker and Senate President ceremonially signal the successful completion of another session. Not going to happen.
Instead, the Senate extended session until 6 p.m. tomorrow, miffed that the House had ignored a handful of bills considered crucial, including a $12 million by the Broward Sheriffs Office to Eric Brody who was injured by a Broward deputy 13 years ago.
Around 12:15 a.m., Senate President Mike Haridopolos advised his members to stick around in informal recess until 1 a.m. If he and House Speaker Dean Cannon can’t reach an agreement on what bills to take up by then, Haridopolos said he’ll call it a night.
“I will try not to keep us too late,” Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said.
Earlier in the evening, the Senate revolted against the chamber’s GOP leadership by voting down a measure deregulating less than a half dozen professions, including interior designers. The House is now holding up an economic development bill with a tax credit and a sales tax holiday the Senate was hoping to finalize tonight.
It seems an unfortunate end to the governor’s first session. Scott’s spokesman Brian Burgess said his boss is disappointed there wasn’t a simultaneous finale but “very, very pleased” that “90 percent of what we wanted went through.”
Scott had to get to bed because “he’s got a very aggressive schedule over the next few days,” Burgess said.
Tags: Florida House, Florida Senate, Rick Scott
May 7th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Correction: Skeletor Scott did not go to bed, he crawled back in his coffin!
May 7th, 2011 at 6:56 am
The Governor showed a total lack of leadership and disregard for the citizens of Florida. What a joke.
May 7th, 2011 at 8:25 am
It seems that the “Post” never has a good word to say about Gov. Scott! Perhaps it shows the bias that is intent on having the liberal media control the “general public’s” exposure to both sides of Political issues. Guess, I’ll just have to fight harder for a sense of fairness in journalism. ( Sure wish Dara Kam could spell correctly… shows a forth-grade educational level)
May 7th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Please leave Ricky Scott alone, he works hard and loves his mother!
May 7th, 2011 at 9:01 am
“The Gospel according to the Tea Party.
1. The source of all our problems:
Obama, Nancy, Harry, Lamestream media, Hippies, Muslims, Hispanics, Ken.ya, Birthcertificate, Bowling, Mustard, government takeover, cap’n trade, soc.ialism, com.munism, Reverand Wright, bailout, Mexicans, immigration, mosque, affirmative action, title IX, 14th, 16th and 17th ammmendments, social security, medicare, medicaid, food stamps, unemployment insurance, minimum wage, secret service, ATF and flouride in the water.
2. The solution to all our problems:
privatize, tax cuts, tax breaks, corporate personhood, repealing all civil rights legislation, social insurance legislation and constitutional ammendments passed after 1801
May 7th, 2011 at 9:09 am
T Woods: The correct spelling is fourth.
May 7th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Actually, Rick had to perform with the Blueman group, then he crawled into his cave and hung from the ceiling…
May 7th, 2011 at 10:37 am
‘Fred W., etc., etc.,etc.’
I am glad you finally understand what those problems and solutions entail.
Since nothing your Marxist team has tried worked in over 150 years of bloody revolutions worldwide… it takes no genius to summarize it?
GOV Rick Scott will most likely line item veto over $$1 Billion… and we can’t wait to see Komrade Randy and his goolagongs spin that story!
May 7th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
This is not surprising. After all, based on his comments, he was apparently asleep at the wheel while
his former company defrauded Medicare.
May 7th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
The heck with the bias newspapers. These blogs are more accurate. General Patton would have slapped this governor for deserting his post in the midst of one of the most important battles in our legislature.