Senate President Mike Haridopolos needs to quickly bring a few more members of his chamber into the pro-prison privatization camp if he wants a successful vote on the controversial proposal Wednesday afternoon.

But with at least 10 Republican senators either opposed or undecided on Senate Bill 2038, which would outsource 28 correctional facilities in Central and South Florida, the Merritt Island Republican said he isn’t going to be “twisting” arms following a contentious floor session Tuesday.

“I think we can still win this vote, we’ll see,” Haridopolos told reporters following the floor session. “One thing you’re not hearing about (is) me twisting arms, that’s not what I do. If I’m trying to find a savings in a  $1.5 billion shortfall, I’m going to fight like hell to try to find some savings.

“I think it’s important that if we’re serious about being conservatives and we see a real opportunity to save money, we’re going to have an up or down vote. But I’m not going to give up the fight because of one vote count at 1 point. People change their minds. I’ve seen that both ways.”

The bill was temporarily approved by members Tuesday, with a number of amendments still to be voted on. The magic number for final approval of the bill is 21 in the 40-member body.

Proponents have estimated the plan could save the state between $22 million and $45 million a year.

The privatization plan was approved by the Legislature as part of the budget during the 2011 session, but struck down by a Leon County Circuit Court judge who ruled in favor of the Police Benevolent Association of Florida that the action should be done as a stand-alone bill. Attorney General Pam Bondi is appealing that case.

“We wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t have a local Leon County Circuit Court tell us what we did wasn’t correct,” said Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, noting the state would have saved $16 million in the current year if the court had not stopped the bidding process.

Prior to the session Tuesday, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, stood outside the Senate chamber with AFL-CIO members opposed to the prison privatization proposal.

Fasano said the state shouldn’t be turning over facilities that were built with taxpayer dollars to private companies.

“If this bill passes, two companies that have spent a lot of money, a lot of time and donated a lot of money will be the only benefactors of this bill that is being pushed right now,” Fasano said. “When you’re privatizing, you’re privatizing public safety.”

Fasano is expected to be joined in opposing the bill by Sens. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, Greg Evers, R-Crestview, Charles Jones R-Inverness, and Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg.

Republican Sens. Thad Altman of Melbourne, Nancy Detert of Venice, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla of Miami and Rene Garcia of Hialeah have yet to declare a position on the proposal.

Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, is expected to join those supporting the bill.

“Is it really worthwhile to attempt to save $16 million out of a $2.3 billion budget when we will be laying off 3,800 employees on top of closing 11 prisons where we’re already laying off almost 1,300 employees?” Dockery said. “And if the savings was a mere $16-to-$18 million, would we not ask the Department of Corrections to pare their budget by $16-to-$18 million?”

On Jan. 12, the state Department of Corrections announced plans to close down seven prisons, including women's prisons in Hillsborough and Broward counties, and four work camps by July 1 in a move to save $75.8 million.

Haridopolos took exception to the suggestion of saving a “mere” $16.5 million, at a minimum, for the privatization effort.

“This is a lot of money,” Haridopolos said. “We’re going to try to balance a budget with a $1.5, $1.6 billion shortfall. We have to get there one dollar at a time.”

Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, noted that the $16.5 million could have paid for 300 teaching position and he reiterated that the bids will not be awarded if the state doesn’t receive at least 7 percent savings.

“We’re trying to design this so the taxpayer will reap the maximum savings from this,” Alexander said.

Alexander said  "clearly" closings have weighed heavily on some senators.

Senators have said they expect the state employees to be given preference in hiring by the private corrections companies. Opponents say they expect the jobs will come at lower pay and with fewer benefits.

Monday night, Gov. Rick Scott went on Facebook to drum up support for the effort.

“With the crime rate down and prison populations declining, it's time for Florida taxpayers to start seeing some savings from the prison system,” Scott posted. “Stand with me, and let your elected officials know you support the partial privatization of our state prison system.”

The Department of Corrections operates 29 correctional facilities in the 18 counties known as Region IV, housing more than 14,500 inmates and employing approximately 3,800, at a cost of $268 million a year.

Correctional institutions (includes annexes)

Reception center (includes annex).

South Florida Reception Center (Male; close custody; 1,398 inmates)  -- not included in privatization bidding.

Work release centers

Re-entry centers:

Sago Palm Re-Entry Center (Male; medium security; 384 inmates).

Other correctional facilities

State-estimated savings by existing private prisons in 2010



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.