Senate President Mike Haridopolos is making good on his promise to pass restitution bills for a man who spent 27 years wrongfully incarcerated, and another who was paralyzed following a crash with a Broward Sheriff’s deputy. Lynn Hatter reports the claims bills are the first pieces of legislation to clear the chamber.
Today, the Florida Senate voted 37-2 to approve a $10.75 million settlement for Eric Brody who was paralyzed following a crash with a speeding Broward Sheriff’s deputy. It also voted 39-1 to award 1.35-million to William Dillon, who spent 27 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Senate President Mike Haridopolos says this gives the House plenty of time to consider the proposals.
“I’ve let the Speaker know that we’re going to passing these bills. I think it’s a good idea to pass these bills that we got off the floor today. And that’s that. We’re giving them sufficient time.”
Last year the bills were collateral damage in an attempt to overhaul the court system backed by House Speaker Dean Cannon. The House has been lukewarm to the proposals. This year Cannon says he wants the legislature to pass a budget in 60 days while the Senate wants to wait. Haridpolos rejects the idea that the bills could be used as leverage for the Senate to get its way.
