House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders offered strategic advice Wednesday to ruling Republicans while making a few political predictions, as well.

The Key West lawmaker said he expected that GOP leaders will deliberately slow down budget talks next year – likely leaving the bulk of budget-making for a special session.

 When lawmakers convene in January, Saunders forecast that the Republican-controlled Legislature will move quickly to approve a redistricting plan, submitting it for court approval.

 If rejected by judges, that would give lawmakers time to craft another plan before the scheduled end of the two-month regular session.

The budget, though, will be kept back by leaders, Saunders said, to maintain control over rank-and-file lawmakers.

“It’d be nice to have that budget still sitting out there, to have some leverage over your members,” said Saunders, who a decade ago helped lead redistricting for the then-Democratic majority.

Saunders said that because of declining population in some Republican-heavy areas – including Pinellas County – as many as eight GOP House members may find themselves scrambling for political turf now held by a fellow House Republican.

Those wounded by final decisions are likely to have little loyalty to leaders, Saunders suggested.

“There’s going to be a lot more upset Republican members than Democratic members,” Saunders said.

Democrats? “They’ve pretty much bottomed us out. It’d be hard to draw maps worse than what we have now he said.

House Democrats pull out the income tax bogeyman and evoked Aretha Franklin in arguing against making public employees pay 3 percent of their income to take part in the Florida Retirement System.

Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, thanked ruling House Republicans for their anticipated support for what he hinted was a tax that will backfire on the majority party in next year’s elections.

“Everybody who pushes the green button is voting for a tax, and the Democratic Party thanks you,” Clemens said.

House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West sought to have the legislation (CS/HB 1405) ruled in violation of House rules, because it’s a bill — but should be a ballot proposal if lawmakers are seeking to enact an income tax. Saunders also told Republicans they should remember the lyrics of Aretha Franklin.

“You better think,” Saunders said, but refraining from song. “Think. Think about what you’re doing to me.”

After a brief huddle and a rule-book review, Rules Chairman Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, decided against Saunders’ motion. Aubuchon said any questions about the constitutionality of the pension contribution would be for courts to decide.

If you don’t like what you hear when Gov. Rick Scott delivers his first State of the State speech at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening, don’t touch that dial.

Scott will be followed by a pair of rebuttals, with Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston’s recorded comments set to immediately follow Scott. Then, a live response from House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West will be aired.

 The talk-athon will be broadcast on the Florida Channel. In Palm Beach County, Scott’s speech can be viewed on PBC-TV, Channel 20.

The televised, Democratic two-against-one may prove the party’s finest hour during the legislative session. After all, Republicans hold a more than two-to-one advantage on Democrats seated in the Legislature.