TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers overrode eight of lame-duck Gov. Charlie Crist's vetoes, the first overrides in 12 years, during a tightly scripted special session that took just under three hours Tuesday.
The Republican-controlled Legislature also appropriated $31.3 million in federal stimulus money and passed a nonbinding but contentious Medicaid resolution.
The vetoed measures originally passed earlier this year with little or no opposition and they were overridden the same way, easily getting the required two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Legislative leaders earlier agreed not to take up vetoes of divisive bills on abortion, teacher merit pay and tenure and elections.
A unanimous override restored a $9.7 million budget item for the University of Florida's Shands Teaching Hospital to help pay for charity patients and attract millions more in federal matching money.
The only bill (HB 1565) that drew debate will expand the Legislature's authority by giving it veto power over administrative rules adopted by the governor and other executive branch officials if they have a $1 million economic effect over five years.
"That's a real cost to real people," said Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary.
Opponents argued the Legislature will be overwhelmed with thousands of rules that will be delayed for months. In his veto message, Crist said the bill would infringe on executive authority.
"This is an unworkable idea," said Rep. James Waldman, D-Coconut Creek.
Crist's veto was overridden 99-21 in the House and 32-7 in the Senate.
The Medicaid resolution passed by voice vote in each chamber after sharp debate although lawmakers won't take binding action until next year.
It declares the Legislature's intent to pass a measure that would let for-profit companies compete to provide managed care statewide for low-income and disabled patients. Florida now has managed care in only five counties on an experimental basis.
The resolution also asks Congress for changes in federal law to reduce cost increases that states are expecting from the national health care overhaul.
"We don't need Washington to tell us how to do it," said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, opposed the resolution. She said it sends a message "that we're going to put everybody in an HMO (health maintenance organization) and the government is going to tell you what to do."
Lawmakers also formally elected Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. Both were picked by their respective GOP caucuses last year.
Crist, who quit the GOP to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent, was on the Senate floor, where he once served, for the organizational session. Crist did not comment on the overrides.
The stimulus appropriation will pay for consumer rebates on purchases of solar energy and high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment.
Lawmakers also voted to delaying a new septic tank inspection requirement for six months through July 1.
Other overridden bills will let yard trash go into garbage dumps, streamline fuel tank cleanup permitting, repeal a requirement to inform buyers of a home's windstorm mitigation rating, expand public notice for road projects and require an inventory of state-owned real estate.
In his acceptance speech, Cannon criticized the health care overhaul and other federal programs, including bailouts for banks, auto companies and other businesses, and tougher water pollution rules for Florida.
"Government cannot give everything to everybody and it cannot prevent every calamity," Cannon said.
Cannon also took a shot at the Florida Supreme Court for removing from this year's ballot three state constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature because they had inaccurate or misleading ballot summaries.
Republicans expanded their control of both chambers at the Nov. 2 election and now have veto-proof, two-thirds majorities. They have an 81-39 edge over Democrats in the House and 28-12 in the Senate.
Associated Press writer Brent Kallestad contributed to this report.