In a symbolic gesture designed to send the signal to the Florida Senate that its new president has an open-door policy, incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos unhinged the doors of his internal office Monday and declared "these doors are open." (Photo: Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Donald Severance, Haridopolos, his wife, Stephanie, their youngest daughter, Reagan, and son, Hayden.)

Meanwhile, Haridopolos met with Gov.-elect Rick Scott on Saturday at the FSU football game in which they discussed Scott's interest in keeping in place Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of a bill that would have usurped some of the governor's authority over the Department of Management Services.

“The governor has expressed his clear desire to take a look at that. He thinks he can do a better job with it, and we want to give it every consideration,” Haridopolos said. He added that he doesn't want to have any conflicts with the governor.

 “This is a different kind of Legislature,'' he said. "You’re going to see the governor and the Legislature in concert. The governor-elect expressed concerns about our potential veto override. We’re giving every consideration.”

Haridopolos also promised that, unlike some of the bills poised for a veto override: "Every single bill is going to go through three committee hearings because it's an open, transparent process,'' he said. "A lot of things are symbolism, including our flag. I think it's important for people to know that we are receptive to new ideas."

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