Gov. Charlie Crist signed three measures into law Wednesday that had the backing of leading Republicans in Florida -- but he still did not answer whether he would sign or veto teacher performance pay legislation.
When Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, announced that he had hauled in $700,000 for his congressional campaign, he opened eyes in Washington. Now, more than 30 Republicans in Congress are holding a fundraiser for Rivera with some of the biggest conservative stars in the House taking part, including Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-OH.
As whispers continued to grow that Gov. Charlie Crist plans to veto the teacher performance pay measure, business leaders met at the Capitol on Tuesday to lobby the governor to be bold, to strike a blow for education excellence and to sign the legislation into law.
We know that there has been vocal opposition, but we want the governor to know teachers, educators, and business leaders support him and this good bill, said Marshall Criser, the chair of the Florida Council of 100s Pre-K-14 Education Committee.
Statistics released last week from Florida Right to Life, compiled from data gathered by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, show that Floridians are having fewer abortions.
The number of abortions in Florida dropped in 2009 to 82,038, the lowest levels the state has seen since 1997.
The state's chief financial officer handles money matters in Florida, but as the campaign for the position starts to heat up, it appears that teacher performance pay will be an issue in the coming election, too.
Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, the favorite to win the Republican CFO nomination, was a strong supporter of the teacher performance pay plan that passed the Senate earlier in the session and the House early Friday morning.
Its rare to see a former Florida Democratic Party chairman taking President Barack Obama to task -- but thats exactly what Scott Maddox is doing on the issue of offshore oil drilling.
Statistics released this week from Florida Right to Life -- compiled from data gathered by the state Agency for Health Care Administration -- show that Floridians are having fewer abortions.
The number of abortions in Florida dropped in 2009 to 82,038, the lowest levels the state has seen since 1997.
The number of abortions in Florida peaked back in 2006 with 95,586 abortions performed in the state that year. Since then, the number has decreased, with 91,954 in 2007 and 87,520 in 2008.
After a marathon debate that dragged into the early hours of Friday -- and increased speculation that Gov. Charlie Crist plans to veto the measure -- the House joined the Senate in passing a bill that creates a performance pay standard for Floridas teachers.
The bill passed 64-55 at 2:26 a.m. with 11 Republicans joining all 44 Democrats in opposing it.
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.
