Age: 38

Residence: Greenacres

Time in the Legislature: 8 years

Political Affiliation: Democrat

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be involved in public service and eventually become the attorney general of Florida.

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement?

House and Senate leaders confirmed Sunday what had become increasingly obvious in recent days: The proposed Medicaid overhaul is dead for this year.

I still believe it is good policy, said Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, chairman of the House Health Care budget committee, and an architect of the sweeping House proposal that would push the states 2.7 million Medicaid recipients into managed care over the next five years.

We will just have to bring it back next year, Grimsley said.

"Thank you, Hu Jintao, and thank you, China," said Hugo Chavez, as he announced a $20 billion loan from Beijing, to be repaid in Venezuelan oil.

The Chinese just threw Chavez a life-preserver. For Venezuela is reeling from 25 percent inflation, government-induced blackouts to cope with energy shortages and an economy that shrank by 3.3 percent in 2009.

Florida Republican Party Chairman John Thrasher said Friday that Gov. Charlie Crists name didnt emerge at the huddle of the GOPs executive board, but those attending clearly see him as central to the troubled era of ousted chairman Jim Greer.

The governor is the guy who pretty much placed Chairman Greer in the position he did, Thrasher said, during a break in an expected daylong, closed-door meeting of party leaders.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story updates, expands and clarifies our first report posted April 20.

WASHINGTON -- Some things are too horrific to consider, and yet consider them we must.

"Crush videos," for instance.

Image copyright: www.sxc.hu/profile/straymuse

Commercial truckers want the ability to haul heavier loads over county and local roads, and they're hoping a measure that obliges them will speed through the Legislature in its last week.

For the second week in a row, Congress seemed to be doing very little in the light of day, in either the House or Senate chambers.