Log In | Register
Sen. Mike Fasano (R) is one of ten Senate Republicans who opposes the plan to give private, for-profit vendors control over 26 prisons, but his vocal criticism provoked retribution from one of the bill’s biggest supporters, Senate President Mike Haridopolos (R):
Amid the mounting tension, Senate President Mike Haridopolos refused to bring up the bill for debate, a sign that it faced defeat. Ten of 28 Senate Republicans have voiced strong reservations or opposition to such a major policy shift, a serious rift in the GOP caucus.
The drama intensified as Haridopolos stripped Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, of his chairmanship of a budget subcommittee overseeing prisons, saying Fasano “was not rowing in the same direction” as Senate leaders on budget decisions.
“It’s become clear to me that Sen. Fasano was not willing to make these choices,” Haridopolos said.
Fasano said Haridopolos told him he was being punished for his anti-privatization comments in an MSNBC interview Monday.
Florida Republican Stripped Of Senate Chairmanship For Opposing Gov. Rick Scott's Prison Privatization Scheme
Article Source: Think Progress- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (5)
The country’s biggest private prison companies, who stand to make millions from the Florida plan, have given generously to many state legislators.
GEO Group, a private prison company based in Boca Raton and one of the largest contributors to the Florida Republican Party in 2010, gave over $11,000 to the campaigns of 14 of the 20 members of the Budget Committee that approved the privatization bill. They also gave the maximum $25,000 to Gov. Scott’s inaugural fund.
The Corrections Corporation of America, the nation’s largest corrections company, also has close connections to GOP statehouses across the country. The company has spent $373,000 in political contributions in Florida since 2003, over 60 percent of which have gone to Republicans.
- 7 votes
#1 - Fri Feb 3, 2012 10:51 AM ESTRepublicans have been eating their own for the last 10+ years. They have been backed up by the private money $$$$$$$$$$$$ interested in their own agenda's, none of which include the average American's best interests.
Susan G. Komen Foundation just found out how public outrage can move mountains and this coming election will do the same thing.
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE.....in case you forget, I am reminding you.
- 4 votes
#3 - Fri Feb 3, 2012 12:04 PM ESTPrivate, for-profit vendors is no way to save the state money. In fact it will cost the state more over time as they continue as they do to want more and more money. The 26 prisons, already cost the state more money. They have no interest in reforming the inmates so they can get out as they make money by keeping the prisons full. Every time a contract is re newed they ask for more money.
- 3 votes
#4 - Fri Feb 3, 2012 2:36 PM ESTThe follow-up to privatizing prisons is even worse--they actively work for longer sentences and more incarceration to increase their profits.
Heinous.
- 4 votes
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
