While teacher performance pay dominated the lengthy House session Thursday, lawmakers also passed other measures concerning education, including one that would give voters the chance to loosen class-size restrictions during November's election.

The measure, introduced by Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, passed 77 to 41, almost on a party-line vote.

A class-size amendment was approved by Florida voters in 2002. The measure would remove caps established by the 2002 statute and allow schools to use the average size of each class.

They're young, educated and endlessly ambitious. They've won accolades both in and out of the classroom, and now they hold the top posts in their universities' student governments.

What's next for these 20-somethings? Business, policy, law -- maybe even careers in Tallahassee?

Beginning Monday, the Sunshine State News will present the first in a series profiling student government executives from around the state. "Meeting Tomorrow's Leaders Today" is an introduction to dynamic young leaders who, someday, in the not-so-distant future, could become your colleagues.

Candidates keep piling into next year's Jacksonville mayoral race. Publisher Jim Bailey and General Counsel Rick Mullaney joined the Republican field this week, while City Councilwoman Glorious Johnson, initially elected as a Republican, will be running as a Democrat.

Lawmakers Thursday came closer to approving a deal that that would give the Seminole Tribe of Florida exclusive rights to blackjack and other Vegas-style card games at five casinos.

The Senate and House discussed but did not reach a final vote on the 20-year compact that would bring the state at least $1 billion in its first five years. The House Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review moved the bill to its next stage in the morning, while the Senate concluded a second reading on the chamber floor.

More than 400 community college students rallied at the Capitol early Thursday before spending the day lobbying the Legislature on education issues near and dear to the nearly 1.2 million people enrolled in Florida's 2-year colleges.

In the latest chapter of the Florida Republicans pushback against the new federal health-care legislation, the House Rules & Calendar Council met Thursday to discuss a proposed amendment to the state Constitution.

But, even though the measure has more than half of the House members listed as co-sponsors, it sputtered and stalled.

Rep. Audrey Gibson

?

Age 54

Residence Jacksonville

Time in the Legislature Eight years

Political Affiliation Democrat

Spouse Single

Children None

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

A teacher

?

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement ?

Getting a piece of legislation through.

Age: 39

Residence: Coral Springs

Time in the Legislature: 6 years

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Spouse: Tatyana

Children: Gabriel

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

A talk show host.

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement?

Rep Ed Homan

?

Age 66

Residence Temple Terrace

Time In the Legislature Eight years

Political Affiliation Republican

Spouse Carol

Children John, David, Mark

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

I wanted to be a doctor and I'm an orthopedic surgeon. I also teach in the Medical School at the University of South Florida

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement ?