Fasano doomed, defined by constancy

Column

In a campaign year in which the big event is dominated by a flawed incumbent and challengers hobbled by inconsistency, Mike Fasano — who isn't running for anything (yet) — stands out.

This is not to suggest that Fasano, the term-limited state senator from New Port Richey, lacks flaws (although they elude us at the moment). Regarding consistency, however, Fasano is a compass needle, his true north locked on the folks who scrape together pennies to satisfy bills, whether for taxes, utilities or insurance premiums.

Fasano's reputation for making righteous war on their behalf against assorted bigs — power, water, insurance — has made him ballot box gold. Accordingly, rumors have swirled around his next move almost since the polls closed securing his final election to Florida's Senate in 2008.

Wednesday, what lies ahead gained intrigue when, in a twist with narrative-shifting potential, Fasano sacrificed chairmanship of the panel that oversees spending on state courts and prisons to his pole star and a naked flexing of power.

The episode marked a climax in Fasano's feud with Senate leaders over who should operate 27 state prisons and work camps in 18 South Florida counties. Senate President Mike Haridopolos performed the deed, decrying Fasano's failure to "(row) in the same direction" as leaders eager to hand corrections operations to a pair of private companies.

Haridopolos, supported by Gov. Rick Scott, claims privatization is the proverbial stone that kills two birds, paring up to $30 million from this year's budget while easing the strain on Florida's public pension. Fiscal skepticism tingling, Fasano proposed the amendment that got him sacked: Assign the Senate's economic-impact staff to verify the numbers.

Moreover, he argues, the state would be surrendering facilities built with tax dollars to for-profit companies that propose neither to pay rent nor otherwise compensate the treasury. "We protested when Obama bailed out the banks and General Motors," Fasano says, "but what are we doing except bailing out these prison companies? I'm against that, too, so who's the real conservative in this fight?"

Characteristically, Fasano also frets about staff with lives organized around prison system jobs. Many would be laid off; survivors might see paychecks slashed. "You've already budgeted, but that's too bad," Fasano fairly snarls. "That's what the government and the private prison (operators) are saying. … And the idea that the corrections officers cut loose will find other jobs in the system is a bunch of hogwash."

Understandably, Fasano has become the rare Republican enjoying the full-throated support of a public-sector union.

At bottom, however, Fasano objects philosophically: Among the things government must do, he says, is keep charge of inmates in its prisons.

Plainly, Haridopolos disagrees. Fasano says he is "disappointed, but not surprised."

Now we shall see whether it is possible to fling a stone into a pond without creating ripples. Soon to be a popular politician without an office, Fasano has narrowed his options to three: state House of Representatives, Pasco County Commission or the U.S. Congress.

"If I told you I was leaning more toward one or the other, I wouldn't be honest," Fasano says. "We'll see when the ink on the (redistricted) maps is dry."

What we won't see, however, is Fasano bolting for the other party. Never mind what his piqued pal Charlie Crist did in pursuit of the U.S. Senate.

OK, he was treated shabbily by state Senate leadership. Nevermind. "I've been a Republican since the day I turned 18," he says. "I've made phone calls, walked precincts. I supported Ronald Reagan when he ran against Gerald Ford."

So, he won't answer spite with spite and renounce the GOP for his autumn run? "Absolutely not," Fasano says, consistency personified.

All right, then. Show's over, folks. If Fasano had been of a mood to make headlines, we'd have led with it.