Will Crist jump?

"Another furor erupted Wednesday over whether Gov. Charlie Crist will run as an independent for the U.S. Senate. It happened when Crist and his campaign manager dismissed or refused to answer questions about the possibility, which the campaign flatly denied last week. Regardless of that denial, speculation has continued amid signs that Crist has been maneuvering in the background to leave the possibility open." "Rumor mill churns Crist's party status". See also "Crist mum on running for Senate as independent".

"A survey of 1,250 registered voters taken April 8-13 by Connecticut's Quinnipiac University shows Crist favored by 32 percent of the respondents to 30 percent for former House Speaker Marco Rubio and 24 percent for Democratic hopeful Kendrick Meek if the general election was held now." "Poll: Crist leads 3-way contest if race held now".

From Quinnipiac:

Marco Rubio has opened up an elephant-sized 56 - 33 percent lead over Gov. Charlie Crist in Florida's U.S. Senate Republican primary, but in a three-way general election with Rubio on the GOP line, Crist as an independent and Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, Crist has a razor- thin edge, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.


"Rubio Tops Crist By 23 Points In Florida GOP Senate Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Crist As Independent Has Slight Edge In 3-Way Race". See also "Poll: Charlie Crist might win Senate seat as an independent" and "Poll: Crist leads 3-way contest if race held now".




Veto imminent?

"With the possible exception of Terri Schiavo's fate, Gov. Charlie Crist says he has never had so many people lobbying him so passionately over one issue: How to grade and pay teachers in Florida." "Crist getting an earful on teacher tenure bill". See also "Crist veto deadline for merit-pay bill looms" and "Crist has 1 more day for veto decision".

The Tallahassee Democrat editors:

The deadline is Friday for Gov. Charlie Crist to take action on Senate Bill 6, a measure proposed by Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, that would abolish tenure among Florida public school teachers, tie student performance on standardized tests to merit pay, and expand the Legislature's control of local school districts' budgets. The bill is laden with political implications in a tough election year: Should Mr. Crist veto the bill, which passed 64-55 after eight hours in the House (its companion is HB 7189), observers think he would virtually forfeit the GOP primary against former House Speaker Marco Rubio.

All those distractions aside, Mr. Crist should veto this bill.

"Final exam".

"They drove nine hours, through the night, and planned to hold a sit-in at Gov. Charlie Crist's office if he refused to see them. Some were Republicans; about half were teachers. All wanted the governor to veto SB 6." "Group crashes Crist's office to urge veto of SB 6". Related: "Tallahassee's aggressive rewrites of Florida education law leave Palm Beach County schools facing sticker shock" and "Politically, education reform feud in legislature echoes 1999 FCAT fight".

More: "Teacher of the Year: Why Senate Bill 6 is bad".




'Glades

"Federal and state environmental agencies were the target of a scorching ruling by a judge Wednesday in an Everglades restoration case." "Judge blames feds, Florida officials for delaying Everglades cleanup".




RPOF sees "silver lining"

"Congressman-elect Ted Deutch's victory in Tuesday's special congressional election boosts Democrats. The GOP also says it sees a silver lining." "Both parties see hope in Deutch win".




Sansom investigation heats up

"E-mails suggest a coordinated effort to slide the $6 million project through the state budget process and avoid a veto by Gov. Charlie Crist. The airport project ended Ray Sansom's political career in scandal." "Planners concealed hangar site".




"Legislators want to change that"

"[T]hey're not private citizens. They're a small but powerful group of people in an office deep within the state government called the Office of Public Counsel, and for decades, they've been an independent champion of utility customers in Florida. Some state legislators want to change that." "Legislature targets utility users' defender".




From the "values" crowd

"A budget proposal in the Florida House threatens to cut the administrative arm of Healthy Start, a move that some say could endanger the infant care program altogether." "Florida House proposes funding cuts for Healthy Start".




"Who's listening?"

Bill Cotterell: "They're all talking, but who's listening?".




Gambling

"The Florida Senate is set to vote on a new deal with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at its casinos in the state."

"Seminole Gambling Compact likely to pass Senate".




NASA

"Obama to offer hope to local space workers during KSC visit". See also "Mike Thomas: GOP wants budget cuts? Start with NASA".




"Poison pill"

"Legislature considers a 'poison pill' to nullify citizen petitions".




"Stonewalling"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "As the legislative session heads toward its final two weeks, state lawmakers are letting too many important issues slide into oblivion. First up, improving transparency in government and citizen access to records." "Quit the stonewalling". See also "Where lawmakers need to get moving".




Teabaggery

"Up to 3,000 expected for today's Tea Party rally in Tampa".




"Controversy in the Cuban-American community"

"In an event that has stirred controversy in the Cuban-American community, President Barack Obama will join a fundraiser at Gloria and Emilio Estefans' Miami Beach home." "President Obama heads to Emilio and Gloria Estefan's fundraiser".




McCollum lawsuit

"The state's House Rules & Calendar Council passed legislation today providing Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum greater authority to bring legal action against the Health Care Reform bill signed into law by President Obama as an unconstitutional mandate on states and individuals." "House council passes bill to bolster McCollum's health-care reform challenge".




Sansom special election

"Democrat: Matt Gaetz wins special election to fill seat of former House Speaker Ray Sansom".




Tuition increase

"For the second year in a row, students at state universities might be seeing double-digit increases in tuition. Part of the increase would come from additional charges the schools are allowed to impose." "College tuition costs in Florida likely to rise again".