Senate President Wants JMH Funds Released
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) -- Gov. Rick Scott should release $35 million in federal stimulus money set aside by lawmakers for Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to a letter written to the governor by Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
The letter explained that the 2010-2011 passed by the Legislature and signed by former Gov. Charlie Crist bears the force of law.
He wrote, "Failure or refusal by an Executive to effectuate the expenditures authorized by that budget is expressly proscribed by [state law] as a prohibited impoundment of funds."
At a late afternoon meeting with reporters, Haridopolos brushed off a reporter's characterization that he had accused Scott of breaking the law. "Far from it," he said. "This is something where we want to make sure that when the Legislature chooses to pass a bill and it's signed into law, that we just make sure we get it done the right way."
Haridopolos said he decided to write the letter to Scott after Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, approached him and said Jackson Memorial had fulfilled the four criteria lawmakers laid out for the hospital to tap the money.
Haridopolos said he shared some of Scott's concerns about the hospital's finances.
"My opinion was, in this circumstance, that Jackson Memorial should receive the funds because they have made steps in the right direction."
It wasn't clear why Scott was holding up the money.
Jackson Memorial Hospital has been trying to survive a financial crisis brought on by mismanagement and a struggling economy.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
