Both Kendrick Meek and Charlie Crist will be able to claim a victory this weekend. While the AFL-CIO endorsement will be coming out tomorrow, the Florida Education Association endorsed both men for the U.S. Senate--an interesting development that rewards Crist for vetoing SB6, could help nudge Meek up in the polls where he trails both Crist and Republican Marco Rubio and ties the hands of one of the largest unions in the state.

Florida is poised to extend the life of a program that exempts nearly 171,200 residents from the Medicaid program in favor of giving them greater choice in selecting health care providers,and the Agency for Health Care Administration spent Friday afternoon reviewing the program and seeking input for the program. .

Gov. Charlie Crist just finished a speech to the AFL-CIO and the crowd adored him. Unlike Congressman Kendrick Meek, the leading Democrat in the race for the U.S. Senate, who recieved tepid applause when he was mentioned by Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, Crist got enthusiastic backing from the rank and file. When Crist left, the meeting came to a screeching halt since a large number of the attendees, especially members of teacher unions thankful for his veto of SB 6, crowded around the governor.

Today's reported drop in Florida's unemployment rate from 12.3 percent to 12 percent is better news than a seemingly minor drop of 0.3 percent might indicate. Nearly 16,000 more people found work than lost work in the month of April. That's the first time that's happened since February of 2006.

And for anyone who's keeping track, it's the first time since Gov. Charlie Crist took office in 2007 that the numbers didn't get worse.

Unfortunately, according to an AP report, brightening hopes may be tinged with a brown oil sheen come next month.

Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, told the AFL-CIO that Congressman Kendrick Meek would be speaking tomorrow.

Hes on his way, said Hill. Floridas newest senator is on his way.

While there was some scattered applause, most of the labor leaders sat in silence.

This cant be a good sign for Meek as he competes with independent Gov. Charlie Crist for the AFL-CIO endorsement for the U.S. Senate election.

While its not getting the attention that the AFL-CIO Endorsing Convention, the Florida Educational Association is also meeting and offering endorsements. They just backed Democratic CFO candidate Loranne Ausley who made opposition to SB 6 one of the cornerstone issues of her campaign.

With so many races and so many amendments on the ballot, how does a candidate for a state legislative seat get some attention? For Matthew Tisdol, who is in a crowded Democratic primary to take the seat that Rep. Yolly Roberson is vacating, the answer is simple. As he made the rounds at the AFL-CIO convention in Jacksonville today, Tisdol said that a lot of voters were stunned that someone so young-hes only 26 and looks younger-is running for office and can talk about policy.

The Florida AFL-CIO are meeting this weekend in Jacksonville on the south side of the St. Johns. Incoming Democratic House Leader Ron Saunders, D-Key West, is already here and is with Steve Barnes who hopes to join the House Dems. Barnes, from Seminole County, is taking on Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary Dorworth is already on the fast track for leadership, even being pegged as a future House Speaker.

The biggest issue is the economy, said Barnes. We have to do more to diversify the economy.

Today the Republican Party of Florida released the latest edition to their campaigns, a webpage extolling Adam Putnam's virtues as a Sportsman.

Putnam, a Republican U.S. Representative, is running for the Agriculture Commissioner in a tight race against former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, a Democrat.

The site talks about Putnam's own love of hunting and fishing in Florida and comes complete with a "Brag Board," a place for fellow sportsmen to upload photos of their own trophies and adventures.

The Department of Environmental protection appears to be a little concerned that Florida residents and visitors may do more harm than good when it comes to fighting the BP oil spill.

Today they released a statement with tips for Homeowners, businesses and consumers.

Most of them deal with placing booms and encourage coordination with the DEP, or not getting involved at all. But there are tips for those venturing out on their own with more creative methods.

From the Tip Sheet: