text: In our opinion, management's assessment that Republic Services, Inc. maintained eÅective internal 
  control over Ñnancial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the 
  COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, eÅective internal 
  control over Ñnancial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria. 
  
  We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
  Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of Republic Services, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 
  and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash Öows for each of 
  the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 of the Company and our report dated February 24, 
  2005, expressed an unqualiÑed opinion thereon. 