Crist: It's now 'the people' vs. the GOP Legislature

[ccharles000]

The relationship between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature appears headed to a critical juncture. First, Crist vetoed the leadership fund bill, a priority of the incoming leaders. Now he's making noise about a possible veto of the bill that abolishes teacher tenure and tying teacher pay to test scores, and he's even criticizing the way the House is handling such a key piece of legislation.

Crist compared the House's decision to block floor amendments to the teacher tenure bill (SB 6) to the criticism that the Obama administration "rammed through" complex health care legislation.

"That is disappointing because I think you always have to keep an open mind," Crist said. "There was a lot of complaining in Washington about health care legislation sort of being rammed through, and I don't want Florida to do similar kinds of things."

It's often smart politics to run against the Legislature. It now has two plausible reasons to veto the bill: the potential impact on teachers in challenging jobs, such as those teaching the disabled, and the lack of transparency in the House. (The House wanted a "clean" unamended bill because of the risk of problems if the bill had to return to the Senate, where it passed on a close 21-17 vote).

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2010/04/crist-its-now-the-people-vs-the-gop-legislature-.html

[Dappleganger]

1. If he vetoes SB 6 I will vote

for him when he runs for senator. He's probably going to have to switch parties, but that bill is a travesty for Florida's education system and standing up for our children and teachers is a progressive move on his part if he has the guts to go against the insanity in this state.

Perhaps now people will understand why I choose to remain an independent here in FL...

[FLyellowdog]

2. Crist will gain a large number of supporters if he vetoes this bill.

Please help us fight SB6 / HB7189 by letting Governor Charlie Crist know that he must VETO this destructive bill!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107536332616736

[LWolf]

3. Done awhile back.

I'm holding vigil for my colleagues in Florida.

[old mark]

4. He might as well be a Democrat - the GOP hates him and switching seemed

to work out for Specter...

Could he win in Florida as a Dem?

mark

[tallahasseedem]

5. I would vote for Crist in a hot second...

if he switches to Ind or Dem. Meek doesn't stand a chance and we certainly can't have Rubio in there.