`We will spend less,' says Senate President Mike Haridiopolos

TALLAHASSEE -- Promising to slim government and spark the state economy, new leaders of the Florida House and Senate leaders were officially sworn in today.

Michael John Haridopolos and Roy Dean Cannon Jr. were installed as the new Senate president and House speaker, respectively. Together, the two men will preside over the first Republican-led, veto-proof Florida Legislature since Reconstruction.

``We're facing a $2.5 billion shortfall,'' Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said after being sworn in. ``We have two options: raise taxes or spend less. We will spend less.''

Said Cannon, R-Winter Park: ``Our mission over the next two years is to bring sanity to the government's role in the private sector. Our mission is to ask ourselves whether every action we take will promote freedom and empower businesses to create jobs.''

Missing from the ceremonies today was Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who instead attended the Republican Governor's Association meeting in San Diego. Scott's campaign manager Susie Wiles, who is overseeing his transition into the governor's office, was in the Capitol today and Monday visiting with lawmakers.

In addition to the speeches from Cannon and Haridopolos, 54 freshman members were sworn in to the two chambers with their families seated next to them on the chamber floor and friends and lobbyists looking on from the gallery. The large number of new members is mostly due to term limits: Eight incumbents were defeated this year: Seven Democrats in the general election and one House Republican in a primary.

In an amusing moment, Rep. Jimmy Patronis' toddler son yelled ``Nay'' to a motion to install the new Florida House. Patronis, R-Panama City, held the boy in the air as the House chamber erupted in laughter and applause.

Lawmakers won't wait long to flex their new muscle. The chambers will return this afternoon to override a handful of Gov. Charlie Crist's vetoes from earlier this year.

In the Senate this morning, 13 new members were installed, including Republican Jack Latvala of St. Petersburg who returns after an eight-year break and Democrat Gwen Margolis of Aventura who starts her third cycle under term limits. Termed-out lawmakers can return to the House or Senate after two years.

Crist attended the Senate ceremonies this morning and received a polite welcome.

Before the Senate convened, Senate Democrats elected the first two-woman slate to head their smalled caucus in decades. Sen. Nan Rich of Weston will become the next minority leader and her chief deputy will be Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa.

``As the loyal opposition, we've got to be the voice of the voiceless,'' Joyner said. ``We know how to make it even in the worst of times.''

In the House, Democrats installed Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West as their caucus leader.

Cannon welcomed ``an era of collaboration and cooperation'' with the Senate. Acknowledging the Republicans' historic majority, he promised to preside over a ``fair and orderly'' chamber.

``I extend a pledge of fairness to members of both parties,'' Cannon said. ``But please remember that obstructionism is not the same as dissent and personal attacks are not the same as meaningful debate.''

Cannon gave the other 119 members of the chamber a Florida House lapel pen that he said was to serve as a reminder that ``you are part of something bigger than yourself.''

``It's something much bigger than the promises you made on the campaign trail and it's different from making a living in your private life,'' Canon said. ``Never forget that.''

Cannon also used his speech to take shots at the federal government and the Florida Supreme Court.

Cannon blasted Congress for ``taking over banks and financial institutions,'' ``socializing medicine'' and ``trampling the property rights of citizens and the sovereignty of states.''

Cannon said the Supreme Court's decision to strike several constitutional amendments - crafted by the Legislature - from the statewide ballot would ``endanger its reputation for impartiality.''

``These are just a few examples of threats to freedom and the cost that the loss of liberty has occasioned, but there are many others,'' Cannon said.

Haridopolos promised to limit lawsuits, cut regulations on businesses and not raise taxes.

``We will do more with less, we will tighten our belt and we will not raise taxes a single dime,'' Haridopolos said.

While pledging to give all bills a thorough hearing in several committees, Haridopolos gave this warning: ``If your piece of legislation raises a tax, makes it easier to file a lawsuit against a fellow Floridian or increases red tape, then I don't like your chances.''

Times/Herald staff writer Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this story.

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