Despite repeated assurances that he would sign it, that the bill represented a powerful improvement in Florida's education standards, Gov. Charlie Crist announced Thursday that he had vetoed SB 6.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Whenever I'm in the nation's capital, it's always entertaining to see government staff, aides, lobbyists and elected officials doing their thing. They can make you feel like an outsider -- unless, that is, you were there when Ronald Reagan was sworn in, doing then as they are doing now. Then you realize that they're just younger versions of yourself.

The Senate approved a long-awaited gaming compact Thursday that gives the Seminole Tribe of Florida exclusive rights to blackjack and Vegas-style card games and nets at least $1 billion for the state.

Senators voted 29-9 in favor of the compact, moving it quickly past the floor with much praise and few complaints. The compact still needs to pass the House and be signed by the governor to be passed into law.

I was just a quarterback, but it was a privilege to see this come in for a landing, said chief Senate negotiator Dennis Jones, R-Seminole.

With Floridians due to vote on two redistricting amendments in November, a House panel met Thursday to tackle the issue at both the congressional and state levels by pushing another amendment.

The amendments already on the ballot, sponsored by Fair Districts Florida, would change how the Legislature will draw up congressional and legislative seats. They prohibit the Legislature from creating districts to benefit or hinder an incumbent or a political party and require the districts to be compact.

Age: 70

Residence: Inverness

Time in the Legislature: 7 years

Political Affiliation: Republican

Spouse: Judy

Children: Shannon Wright, Charlie Jr.

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

I wanted to work in law enforcement, because my father was Citrus County sheriff from 1928 to 1945.

What was your biggest political achievement?

Rep Brad Drake

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Age 35

Residence Eucheeanna

Time in the Legislature Two years

Political Affiliation Republican

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

A stockbroker I have a degree in economics from the University of Florida

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement ?

HB 31 which is the right to free speech at is based on a case in Santa Rosa County where a student was not allowed to speak at her graduation.

GOP TO MEET ON GREER
Florida Republican Party Chairman John Thrasher confirmed Wednesday that he has called a closed-door meeting of the partys executive committee to update leaders on the lawsuit filed against the state GOP by his predecessor, Jim Greer.

When the Florida House convenes, Medicaid reform will be at the top of the agenda. There are more than 2.7 million Floridians currently participating in the program, and that number as if it will rise -- along with the price tag.

Medicaid is not functioning and, from a fiscal standpoint, is not sustainable, said Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid.

After roughly a month in legislative limbo, an attempt to have businesses report their recycling rates was drastically scaled back Wednesday.

Lawmakers on the Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously voted to approve SB 570, Sen. Lee Constantines attempt to make the state recycle 75 percent of its solid waste by 2020.

I really do think we can be the leader in recycling, and it will create jobs, said the Altamonte Springs Republican.