Sen. Fasano says he's disappointed by the decision, but ready to move on.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos is getting some withering criticism from opponents of prison privatization for his decision to remove Sen. Mike Fasano as the chairman of a powerful Senate appropriations committee.
Sen. Fasano was stripped of the chairmanship after speaking out against the privatization of prison facilities in South Florida. Fasano argued the plan had too many unanswered questions and looked like a bad deal for taxpayers.
Opponents of the prison bill called Haridopolos' decision "shameful" and an affront to democracy.
"Sen. Fasano has been a good steward of the taxpayer dollars. He was a good chairman. I think he's asking legitimate questions and he's being punished for asking those questions," said Matt Puckett of the Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow called it unfair.
"The man went through a process. He went through committees, did debates. There wasn't support for the bill and rather than accepting that, it was sad to see that the leadership decided to strip him of his chairmanship."
Haridopolos says he took the action because he became convinced Fasano would not make the necessary budget cuts this year. He was not only removed as chairman of the committee, he was taken off the panel altogether.
Fasano says he's disappointed but ready to move on.
"Unfortunately because a senator or member of the legislature took a position, he's punished for it. But that's the prerogative of the president. He has the right to pick and choose who he or she wants to be the chairman of the appropriation committees. He chose for me to no longer be there. We're not going to give up the fight. We're certainly going to stand with our principles. We're certainly going to make our voice heard on behalf of our constituents, saying what the governor and he want to do in privatizing 18 counties and 27 prison facilities is the wrong direction and bad for the taxpayers of Florida."
The plan would turn over the operation of nearly 30 prison facilities in South Florida to for-profit companies.
It would require the companies to reduce operating expenses at least seven percent in the first year. Supporters say that would amount to more than $16 million.
But the cost of paying out benefits to thousands of correctional officers displaced by the plan could approach $20 million.
Fasano says he wants to get to the bottom of the true cost of privatizing prisons.
"That's why I'm asking for, and I have an amendment, that would wipe the bill clean and put in a study by the legislative economic division to come back next year and tell us what's the good and the bad about the expansion of privatization to the extent that it's unprecedented nationwide."
Fasano argues it does not make sense now to turn over $500 million worth of prison facilities to for-profit companies, especially when taxpayers continue to pay off the bonds for several of the facilities.
Meanwhile, the prison privatization bill has run into a brick wall at the state Capitol, at least for the time being.
The Florida Senate rushed the legislation through committees last week, but when it hit the Senate floor this week it stalled. Right now it's unclear if there are enough votes to pass the bill.
First Coast News