DirtyHari frees up his time to prioritize attacks on Florida's middle class

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2011

Contact:  Damien Filer
850-212-1858
Damien@ProgressFlorida.org

St. Petersburg - Senate President Mike Haridopolos today announced he is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race to dedicate 100% of his time to renewing his war on Florida's middle class.  As chronicled at DirtyHari.org over the past months, Haridopolos has consistently put special interests over the people's interests.  As Senate President he has marched in lock step with Gov. Rick Scott, slashing jobs and funding for our public schools.

"Sen. Haridopolos announced this morning he's now focusing all of his attention on getting the Florida Senate to ram through even more of Gov. Rick Scott's anti-middle class agenda," said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida.  "We will continue to hold him accountable at DirtyHari.org."

DirtyHari.org is a project of Progress Florida devoted to holding Haridopolos accountable to the people of Florida, not just the banks, utilities, oil companies, HMOs, big developers, and other corporate special interests who bankrolled his state senate campaign and rise to leadership.

"DirtyHari has been little more than a puppet for Gov. 'PinkSlipRick' Scott, carrying the water time and time again for his anti-middle class agenda," said Susannah Randolph, executive director of Florida Watch Action.  "We will continue to work closely with Progress Florida to ensure taxpayers are informed about DirtyHari's real priorities for Florida."

Earlier this year, reports surfaced about Haridopolos' shady book deal with Brevard Community College.  A Progress Florida investigation uncovered Florida taxpayers paid Sen. Haridopolos $152,000 to write a sub-standard book that - perhaps not surprisingly - has sold only 70 copies, with only $487.90 earned for Brevard Community College (as of 6/21.)

"The deal between Sen. Haridopolos and Brevard Community College is clear taxpayer abuse by a public official - and not just any public official," Ferrulo said. "Mike Haridopolos is the Florida Senate President, one of the most powerful politicians in the state, and someone who has touted himself as a champion against government waste - unless he personally benefits from it."

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