Heres an interesting detail I wasnt able to include in Fridays story on Gov. Charlie Crists budget decisions:

The Associated Industries of Florida PAC endorsed Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, for state CFO today and Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam to serve as commissioner of agriculture and consumer services.

These candidates have a longstanding relationship with AIF and their leadership is exactly what we need as we elect a new Cabinet, said AIF President and CEO Barney Bishop. Congressman Putnam and Sen. Atwater both understand the important role business plays in creating a vibrant economy and both have consistently championed sound fiscal policies.

Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp just announced that three more state representatives have backed his campaign for the attorney general nod. The three new endorsements come from across the state--Marti Coley, R-Marianna, J.C. Palanas, R-Miami, and conservative Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka. With these newest endorsements, Kottkamp has secured the backing of 39 members of the Legislature. Kottkamp also announced that he was being backed by former Senate Majority Leader Locke Burt.

Despite having served with Republican congressional candidate Karen Diebel on the Winter Park City Commission, Margie Bridges announced today that she will be supporting one of Diebels rivals for the GOP nod. Bridges is backing Craig Miller, former CEO of Ruths Chris Steakhouse.

Memorial Day weekend is bearing down on Northwest Florida, and the states public-private marketing corporation still doesnt have the money it needs to air a new TV advertisement showing tourists that Panhandle beaches are unsullied by oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill.

With Floridians increasingly vocal about the failure of government at all levels to control the oil spill in the Gulf, Gov. Charlie Crist has announced two free fishing weekends. Fishers can saltwater fish without a license both Memorial Day weekend and the weekend of June 5 and 6.

Florida is the fishing capital of the world, said Crist, Our beaches are clear, the fish are biting, and we invite our friends to enjoy some Florida hospitality.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack has an op-ed in todays Washington Post arguing that conservatives should oppose Arizonas new immigration restrictions.

The latest issue freedom-loving conservatives should be concerned about is the Arizona immigration law, wrote Mack. This law clearly challenges citizens' freedoms, and it does so by putting some Americans at risk of losing their freedoms while others stand little or no chance of being affected.

Has Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene emerged as a major contender in the race? Gov. Charlie Crist seems to think so. The Crist campaign is now running a Google Adword attack on Greene.

The ad reads "What has Jeff Greene done? Experience Matters."

The Florida Education Association announced it is backing Democratic candidate David Pleat's bid to knock off Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna.

It is a tremendous honor to receive the support and endorsement of the Florida Education Association and the teachers and education staff professionals within District 7 and in the state of Florida, said Pleat. I am forever indebted to our local public schools for the education they provided to my four older children."

Politicians are apparently good at creating jobs and creating a healthy enviroment for business, at least if they happen to own the company. Florida Trend is releasing nuggets from its rankings of the top companies in Florida, and some familiar political names are popping up. Agribusiness Alico made the list -- with Sen. J. D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, serving as president and CEO. So did the Graham Cos., which was founded by Florida political icon Bob Graham.