According to the St. Pete Times, Florida Republican Senate President Mike Haridopolos has written a letter to Gov. Rick Scott informing him in detail that Scott is "breaking the law" by withholding $35 million in budgeted funds for 2010 for Jackson Memorial Hospital.
From the Times:
It's the same argument Sen. J.D. Alexander made when Scott sold the state planes without legislative approval, and part of the arguments Sens. Thad Altman and Arthenia Joyner made when Scott unilaterally rejected federal funding for high-speed rail.
From the letter:
"The 2010-2011 budget passed by the Legislature and signed into law by your predecessor bears the force of law," Haridopolos said. "Failure or refusal by an Executive to effectuate the expenditures authorized by that budget is expressly proscribed by Florida Statute 216.195 as a prohibited impoundment of funds. Moreover, we believe that Florida Statute 216.195, which prohibits the impoundment of funds, requires the Executive to effectuate the expenditure.
"Respectfully then, I therefore request that you take immediate action to effect the appropriation to Jackson Memorial Hospital in the amount previously authorized by the Legislative Budget Commission."
You can read the letter entire here.
