Senate Prez: SunPass Discounts Will Stay
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) -- A day after the Senate voted to do away with discounts given to electronic SunPass holders, Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Friday his chamber will not pursue the repeal of the 5-percent SunPass discount.
Thursday, Senators removed the discounts that are given for using SunPass on the state's turnpikes and expressways, a change that added $100 million a year into the state's transportation budget. But Haridopolos, who is also a candidate for U.S. Senate, said he agrees with Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that the discounts are worth the lost revenue.
He also said raising the rates could be considered by some to be a hike in taxes, a boost that won't fly as long as he is at the Senate helm.
The Senate president said he's spoken to Senate budget chief, Sen. J.D. Alexander and was assured the Lake Wales Republican was onboard and would not push the discount recall during budget negotiations slated to start next week.
