A tea party crowd on the steps of the old capitol greeted state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, with chants of “E-Verify, E-Verify” today.

Haridopolos did not disappoint, telling the crowd he wanted to “verify” that the employee screening measure would be part of the Senate’s immigration-enforcement package.

House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said yesterday that his chamber would propose a bill requiring E-Verify for all public employers starting in 2012, and for all private companies with more than 100 employees in 2013.

Like Gov. Rick Scott, who was clearly the main attraction at the tea party rally, Haridopolos called on the crowd of a few hundred to hold lawmakers to their promises, including his pledge to balance the budget with no new taxes.