News Releases

One of the most important things Gov. Charlie Crist has done in office is put Florida at the forefront of the global warming fight.

His bold call for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 will be a challenge to achieve. […]

West Palm Beach -- At the neonatal intensive care unit in St. Mary's Medical Center on Monday, Gov. Charlie Crist hesitatingly peeked inside a clear, lighted incubator.

Inside the isolette lay a day-old, 1.9-ounce baby, with limbs the size of fingers, who was born four months premature.

The unit can treat 70 babies at a time, said Joey Bulfin, the hospital's chief nursing officer. And most days, she told the governor, a majority of the patients are born to parents who either don't have insurance or lack coverage that would cover their treatment. […]

TALLAHASSEE -- With families and businesses struggling to afford health care, Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida lawmakers are moving forward with proposals that would allow people to buy cheaper, stripped-down insurance.

The proposals would reduce or eliminate required types of coverage that insurers and business groups have long argued drive up the costs of health policies. […]

His proposal is doable, experts say, if people rein in expectations.

Harry Wessel

Sentinel Staff Writer

March 14, 2008

Among the many ideas floated by Gov. Charlie Crist last month for improving health care in Florida, one stood out for its simplicity and its allure: Offer the estimated 3.8 million Floridians who lack health insurance an affordable plan for "$150 a month or less." […]

Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida and Democratic Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm of Michigan on Wednesday called their parties' decision to penalize their states' presidential delegates "reprehensible" and said something must be done to give them a voice at this summer's nominating conventions.

The reaction: a collective shrug of the shoulders.

"It's done," said Jon Ausman, a Leon County Democratic official, of his party's refusal to seat 210 convention delegates. "We're either going to sink or swim with what we have." […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist wants lower property taxes, cleaner energy, thinner kids, healthier Floridians and better schools and he said in his State of the State speech Tuesday that he isn't daunted by bad economic times.

Crist acknowledged the state is going through tough times, but, forever an optimist, he said state government can still keep its obligation to improve the lives of Floridians. […]

TAMPA - When Gov. Charlie Crist kicked off a statewide fitness challenge Wednesday at Bellamy Elementary School, 800 students clapped and cheered.

They were ready to do the broad jump, 300-yard shuttle run, 40-yard dash and other feats to earn certificates, T-shirts and maybe $10,000 for their school.

Details of the eight-week program for elementary students were announced Wednesday, with the deadline to enroll next week.

On March 11, elementary students begin a 10-day series of Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests and makeup exams, so Hillsborough County won't require participation, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said late Wednesday.

"We think it's a really good thing," Elia said. "Some schools are going to jump on this. Others will work hard to fit it in."

The district has numerous after-school programs, which may be where many participate, she said.

The program calls for schools to dedicate two 45-minute sessions or three 30-minute sessions a week to the program for eight weeks.

To be eligible for the eight money prizes - four schools get $10,000 for athletic equipment and four get $5,000 - schools must submit pre- and post-activity assessments. Students get extra points for trying activities or recipes at home from the governor's fitness Web site. […]

The temptation among lawmakers next month to take a cleaver to Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal to spend $200 million on green technologies and practices could be great.

Not only does the $200 million represent twice what the state spent last year on related initiatives, it comes amid a state budget crunch that's making lawmakers scramble to find dollars for their own pet projects.

Handing the governor $10 million to develop wind-energy turbines or $7.5 million to encourage local governments to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy, which the governor's requesting they do, just might not come particularly easily to certain lawmakers more concerned about bankrolling local roads or community centers for their constituents. […]

TAMPA – A new statewide public opinion poll shows that Gov. Charlie Crist continues to receive sky-high approval ratings from Floridians.

The governor received a job approval rating of 71 percent in the poll of 1,000 registered voters by Fabrizio McLaughlin and Associates conducted Feb. 12-14. Sixty-eight percent surveyed have a “favorable opinion” of Crist, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce which commissioned the poll.

Marian Johnson, the vice president of political strategy for the chamber, said on Tuesday that pocket book issues continue to be the top concerns, according to the poll. She said 28 percent listed property taxes as the top issue, followed by the economy at 20 percent and property insurance at 16 percent. Education was listed by 13 percent of voters. […]

WASHINGTON — Gov. Charlie Crist joined a half-dozen governors from some of the nation\'s most populous states Sunday in calling for greater federal support for rebuilding America\'s infrastructure.

\"The infrastructure of our country is something we need to pay attention to,\" Crist said at a bipartisan news conference during the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association.

\"What we saw in Minneapolis last summer gave us the clear indication of how important this is,\" Crist said, referring to the bridge collapse that killed 13 people.

The governor has asked the Florida Legislature for nearly $8 billion in additional infrastructure spending next year. \"But we do need the help from our federal partners,\" Crist said.

Several governors said they expect the presidential candidates of both parties to address the needs of the nation\'s infrastructure during the campaign.

\"The message, I believe, will be loud and clear,\" Crist said. \"We need you to pay attention to the infrastructure of the entire country, whether it\'s bridges, roads, whatever it might be.\" […]

Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday proposed reducing the number of Floridians living without health insurance by creating coverage options that he said would cost less than half what individual policyholders now pay.

Crist included the package as part of what he called his top three priorities of the 2008 legislative session, which begins next month. Other measures include energy conservation and education reforms, including a requirement that counties spend more school dollars in the classroom. […]

Gov. Charlie Crist wants to spend a record amount of money on energy diversity and fighting climate change this year, and lawmakers are looking to create an energy policy that better protects the state\'s natural resources.

In his budget released last month, Crist proposed spending $200 million - more than double the current budget - to promote alternative sources of energy and combat climate change. Legislators, meanwhile, say they expect to take up wide-ranging energy proposals during the legislative session that begins in March, and both the governor and a state energy commission want to work on ways to reduce pollution. […]

A top-level team of state health, public-safety and social services officials met with Gadsden County officials Friday to chart improvements in health, safety and welfare services for the rural community.

\"As we look for additional ways to provide property-tax relief to homeowners in our state, we must be aware of the unique challenges that affect Florida\'s small counties,\" Gov. Charlie Crist said in announcing the mission. \"I have asked our leadership team to begin with one of our closest neighbors, to explore ways we can help support their efforts to serve their community.\" […]

Gov. Charlie Crist announced Thursday that the state has created a scorecard of greenhouse gas emissions, which he said is an important step towards reducing the state\'s contribution to climate change.

Crist said state agencies can do more — and that he\'s doing what he can personally — to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

\"It is the right thing to do and makes good economic as well as environmental sense,\" Crist said.

State agencies produced almost 899,107 metric tons of carbon dioxide in the 2006-07 fiscal year, the equivalent of emissions from 194,612 passenger cars or 115,418 homes, according to the scorecard study. […]

WASHINGTON - Gov. Charlie Crist went to Washington Tuesday with a list of federal priorities he wants the state\'s congressional delegation to address, and left with a lengthy list of state issues it wants him to consider.

The Republican governor pushed for a larger federal effort in the Everglades restoration, the creation of a national insurance fund, more federal Medicaid money, a commitment to clean energy and emissions reductions, and protection of the state\'s role in the space program.

Then one by one, representatives asked for his help. […]

WASHINGTON — Gov. Charlie Crist went to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to try to get more federal money released quickly for Everglades restoration.

Crist, a Republican, joined Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., at a luncheon of Republican senators, met with the Florida congressional delegation, and was scheduled to meet late Tuesday with Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

\"The important thing is to make the point that this is important to Florida. It\'s something we\'re relying upon, we truly need it, and it\'s an important treasure for our country,\" Crist told reporters after the luncheon.

Crist was seeking to have Congress appropriate as much as possible of the $2 billion authorized last year for Everglades-related projects as part of the massive federal Water Resources Development Act. […]

Acknowledging that renewable energy is still in its infancy in Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist and a top energy executive celebrated a baby step forward Monday — the state's first solar power plant.

Crist appeared with Florida Power & Light President Armando Olivera in Sarasota County to formally dedicate FPL's first solar array, which was connected to the energy grid late last year. […]

Gov. Charlie Crist has outlined his federal appropriation priorities in a letter to the Florida congressional delegation. They include money for Everglades restoration, Medicaid, clean energy, an insurance catastrophic fund and others.

In his letter, Crist noted that Floridians are feeling “financial strain due to the high cost of property taxes and homeowners insurance, as well as an uncertain real estate market.” […]

If there was any question about who is the most popular -- and powerful -- political figure in Florida right now, Gov. Charlie Crist has put it to rest.

In helping push Arizona Sen. John McCain to the top of the Republican presidential heap, and virtually single-handedly powering the Amendment 1 property-tax cut to victory Tuesday night, Crist demonstrated his clout with voters.

And the real payoff for Florida's governor is still to come, analysts and state lawmakers said Wednesday.

"You've got to believe that with these wins, all of a sudden Charlie Crist is 'da man,' " said David Johnson, a Tallahassee consultant and former state Republican Party executive director. […]

The biggest triumph in this week's voting may go to someone whose name wasn't even on the ballot.

"The headline should read that Governor [Charlie] Crist was the big winner in Florida," said Ed Pozzuoli, the southeast Florida chairman for Rudy Giuliani — who was vanquished by the Crist-endorsed John McCain.

Barely into his second year as governor, Crist emerges with enhanced political clout, which Democrats and Republicans alike say gives him new stature at home and potentially a prominent place on the national stage. […]

Florida voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, giving themselves modest property tax relief and Gov. Charlie Crist a profound victory. […]

Endowed with high voter approval ratings and an ambitious agenda, Gov. Charlie Crist cashed in his political currency to back two campaigns and on Tuesday won the Daily Double.

The passage of the property-tax amendment and his Saturday endorsement of John McCain proved the governor is either prescient or blessed with a golden touch.

''It's a two-pronged victory for Florida,'' Crist demurred on Tuesday as he celebrated McCain's win at the Miami Airport Hilton. […]

The biggest winner Tuesday night may have been Gov. Charlie Crist, who made two risky bets that both paid off.

Crist's beloved Amendment 1 tax reform package passed easily, and the candidate he recently endorsed in Florida's Republican presidential primary, John McCain, beat back all challengers. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced that since launching yesterday morning, the Florida Discount Drug Card currently has 3,243 members. The Governor and Lt. Governor visited pharmacies and senior centers around the state yesterday educating Floridians about the card. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the launch of the Florida Discount Drug Card, which will provide eligible Floridians savings on drugs at over 3,000 participating pharmacies. An easy-to-use Web site, www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com, is available to help consumers learn which drugs are discounted and find participating pharmacies. Participants can also choose a mail order option by calling the Florida Discount Drug Card help line. […]

Gov. Charlie Crist is charming, attractive and affable.

And the people of Florida love him. Yes, love him.

So says a Mason-Dixon poll released earlier this week, showing that 61 percent of Floridians think he's doing an excellent or good job. […]

TAMPA - Gov. Charlie Crist, with a politician's ability to evade interrogation, has been dodging one question more than any other lately: Could he be a candidate for vice president in 2008? […]

SARASOTA -- It was a meeting of the green-minded.

Gov. Charlie Crist, who in less than a year has emerged as one of the nation's most visible environmental champions, was honored Monday by the leaders of Sarasota County, who count among their crowning achievements a recycling program that has extended the life of the county landfill 10 years and a public office building where rainwater flushes the toilets. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today unveiled the Florida Performs Web site to provide the people of Florida a new way to measure how well state government is doing. The Web site provides scorecards of state government’s performance in a variety of measures that affect the quality of life of Florida’s residents and visitors. Citizens can also access each state agency’s performance measures. […]

Governor Crist Commends Green Building Efforts, Receives Award for Environmental Leadership […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Crist today announced two new open government initiatives that will improve Floridians’ ability to access public documents and meetings. The first initiative involves a Bill of Rights for all Floridians trying to access public records. The list of rights was compiled by the Commission on Open Government, established by the Governor on June 19, 2007, by Executive Order 07-107. The second initiative involves improving Internet access to state agency contact information. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today, along with Mitchell Cypress, Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, complied with federal guidelines by signing a 25-year compact that has the potential to provide billions of dollars to Florida’s schools. In exchange for significant revenue sharing of profits, the agreement gives the tribe the exclusive right to operate slot machines and card games in the seven existing facilities on tribal lands. The agreement comes on the eve of the federal government’s approval of a request from the Seminole Tribe of Florida to allow slot machines on tribal lands without any revenue sharing with the state. […]

COCOA BEACH – Governor Crist today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1472 at Roosevelt Elementary School. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Burt Saunders and Representative Stan Mayfield, provides expanded access for the public to Florida’s beaches and additional methods for sand dune restoration. The Governor was joined at the signing by Kelly Slater, a native Floridian and professional surfer, who was recently appointed as an honorary member to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness. […]

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – Governor Crist yesterday expanded his five-day trade and economic development mission to Brazil by meeting with business and government leaders in Argentina. The goal of the meetings was to expand Florida’s trade with Argentina. […]

SANTIAGO, CHILE – Governor Charlie Crist today arrived in Santiago, Chile, as part of Team Florida’s primary trade mission to São Paulo, Brazil. Chile is Florida's sixth largest trading partner in the world, with bilateral trade exceeding $4.9 billion in 2006. Governor Crist will meet with Chilean government officials and business leaders with an interest in doing business with Florida. The visit to Santiago is part of a five-day trade and economic development mission, during which the Governor will meet with South America’s top business leaders and senior government officials. […]

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Governor Charlie Crist today welcomed more than 200 Florida business, state and local leaders to São Paulo, Brazil, for a five-day trade and economic development mission. During the mission, the Governor will meet with Brazil’s top business leaders and senior government officials. Today, Governor Crist signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Governor José Serra of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to enhance business and cultural exchange between the two states. The Governor also announced a funding agreement between Renewable Fuels of Tallahassee LLC and the Controlsud International Group. […]

FORT MYERS—Governor Charlie Crist today attended the groundbreaking of the Interstate-75 Road Expansion Project (iROX). The project will widen a 30-mile expanse of I-75 to six lanes in Collier and Lee counties. […]

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that will re-enact Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law and ensure that drivers have $10,000 worth of health care benefits through personal injury protection or PIP coverage by January 1, 2008. The legislation also reforms the law that sunset on October 1, 2007, to include measures to protect consumers and reduce fraud. […]

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Charlie Crist today announced the focus of his discussion with the Florida Legislature regarding additional property tax cuts for Florida’s homeowners. He announced that a second October special session will be called by the Florida Legislature and is anticipated to begin tomorrow at the close of the current special session. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. He was joined for the announcement by Secretary Bob Butterworth of the Department of Children and Families and Tiffany Carr, president/CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today expanded the call for the Special Session beginning October 3, 2007, to include Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, known as personal injury protection or PIP. The session was originally called by the Legislature on September 28, 2007, to focus on the 2007-08 budget. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist last evening provided the keynote address at the opening dinner of the Sundance Mayors Climate Summit held in Sundance, Utah. More than 60 mayors from across the nation attended the event. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today held a roundtable discussion on global climate change with religious leaders from Tallahassee. Today’s conversation focused on Florida’s effort to reduce greenhouse gases and increase energy efficiency and explored possible climate friendly strategies for partnerships between state governments and the private sector, including faith-based organizations. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today declared September as College Savings Month in Florida, recognizing that saving for a child’s college education is one of the most important things a family can do. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today appointed the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. The team will consist of 21 members appointed by the Governor and is charged with developing Florida’s Energy and Climate Change Action Plan. […]

TAMPA – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 2114, increasing services for young adults transitioning from foster care to independent living. Governor Crist was joined at the ceremony by Representative Rich Glorioso (R-Plant City) at Connected by 25, an organization that assists youth transitioning out of foster care and into adulthood. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed two bills to provide aid to Floridians preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp visited hurricane preparation and recovery sites in Southeast Florida. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation to provide certain retirement benefits to members of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary (FHPA). Bill sponsors Senator Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville) and Representative Marti Coley (R-Marianna) joined Governor Crist for the bill signing ceremony. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1126. The legislation enacts funding to implement Amendment 4 and establishes a statewide tobacco education and use prevention program. Governor Crist also announced four appointments to the Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Advisory Council. Florida State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H., joined Governor Crist for the bill signing ceremony. […]

Hialeah – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1822, requiring carbon monoxide detectors in newly constructed homes and buildings and in hotel rooms located near boiler rooms. Bill sponsors Senator Rudy Garcia (R-Hialeah) and Representative Eddy Gonzalez (R-Hialeah Gardens) joined Governor Crist for the bill signing ceremony at Hialeah’s Fire Station #7. […]

ST. PETERSBURG – Governor Charlie Crist today signed House Bill 359, the Motor Vehicle Responsibility Bill, increasing the insurance liability coverage for individuals found guilty of driving under the influence. Bill sponsors Representatives Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) and Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota) and Senator Dennis Jones (R-Seminole) joined Governor Crist for the bill signing at the St. Petersburg Police Department. […]

MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist today welcomed participants to the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, held at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel, July 12-13, 2007. Governor Crist encouraged the more than 600 participants and 200 members of the media registered for the two-day conference to actively engage in the global climate change discussion and understand the need to address climate change. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed four bills to increase employment opportunities and provide additional property tax relief for Florida’s veterans. The Governor also signed legislation to offer emergency financial assistance to certain military families and increased civil penalties for misusing the name or image of a service member. […]

STUART – Governor Charlie Crist today marked another milestone in Florida’s environmental history, signing a “green” law that expands the restoration of the famed River of Grass to Lake Okeechobee and the farthest northern reaches of the Everglades ecosystem. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist and Shaquille O’Neal, NBA Miami Heat basketball star, today joined efforts to encourage children and young adults to adopt healthy lifestyles that include daily physical activity and healthy eating habits. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the launch of “Shop and Compare Rates,” a Web site that assists consumers comparing homeowners insurance rates throughout Florida. […]

JACKSONVILLE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 412, expanding benefits for dependent children of certain Florida residents classified as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA) while serving in the United States Armed Forces. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Florida, further protecting Florida’s children from predators. Other bills signed today increase penalties for certain drunk driving accidents and for crimes committed against law enforcement officers. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today appointed the nine-member Commission on Open Government to review and evaluate the public’s right of access to government meetings and records. […]

“I congratulate Senate President Ken Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio and the many other legislators who have worked tirelessly to build consensus among the members of the Legislature and deliver the largest tax cut in Florida history. […]

Governor Charlie Crist today signed into law HB 989 – Relating to Crime Victims. The bill establishes guidelines for fair treatment of victims and expands compensation eligibility for victims’ families. […]

PUNTA GORDA – Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today urged Floridians to finalize their family disaster preparedness plans and ensure that family members, homes and businesses are ready for the possibility of a hurricane or other disaster. […]

JERUSALEM – Governor Charlie Crist today announced his intent to encourage other United States governors to follow Florida’s lead in Iran and Sudan divestiture. Governor Crist announced the effort in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. […]

TEL AVIV – Governor Charlie Crist today announced positive steps toward the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Florida and the government of the State of Israel on bilateral cooperation in private sector industrial research and development. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today encouraged all Floridians to make the final preparations necessary to keep their families, homes, businesses and communities safe during the 2007 Hurricane Season. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 2968, compensating the family of Martin Lee Anderson for the wrongful death of their son. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 1760, expanding access to public records by requiring state public information officers to respond to public records requests promptly and in good faith. […]

WEST PALM BEACH – Governor Charlie Crist today signed House Bill 537 that will establish a paper trail for all votes cast in Florida elections. The election-reform legislation will provide optical scan machines for counties that do not already have them for Election Day voting and early voting sites. The legislation also changes the date of Florida’s presidential primary to the last Tuesday in January. […]

DAVIE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that will ensure that public-school elementary students receive at least 150 minutes of physical education each week, or an average of 30 minutes each day. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today visited areas affected by the more than 225 wildfires in Florida. Governor Crist also took an aerial tour to survey the damage and visited with some of the more than 960 state and local personnel involved in fighting and containing the fires. […]

MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist today will hold a town hall meeting at North Miami Senior High School so that citizens can share their concerns about rising property taxes. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp will visit with about 20 citizens during a roundtable discussion at the home of Todd and Jennifer Marks of Tampa. […]

Governor Charlie Crist today praised Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and the 2007 Legislature for listening to the needs of Floridians and passing legislation that will strengthen Florida’s economy, improve student learning, and make Florida’s communities safer. […]

Governor Charlie Crist today commended the Florida House and Senate for continuing the work of lowering property insurance rates by passing Senate Bill 2498. The bill ensures affordability and consumer choice within Florida’s insurance market. […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced his suggestions for reducing the property tax burden by $34 billion on Florida’s homeowners, businesses and renters over a five-year period. The Governor’s proposal would encourage home ownership while also capping runaway spending by local governments. […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Governor Charlie Crist today marked his 100th day in office by testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development advocating for the creation of a national catastrophe fund. He discussed Florida’s challenges with skyrocketing property insurance rates and provided information about how a […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today during a special meeting of the Florida Board of Executive Clemency introduced a change to the Rules of Executive Clemency that will provide for the restoration of the civil rights for certain ex-offenders. The rule was approved by a 3-1 majority of the […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 1226 that will create the Merit Award Program for public school teachers, providing five-percent to 10-percent performance bonuses to the state’s best educators. Governor Crist was joined for the signing ceremony by House Speaker Marco Rubio, Senate President Ken Pruitt […]

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today highlighted his priorities for Florida’s children, which include ensuring safe and secure neighborhoods, world-class education and opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Governor Crist participated in Take Stock in Children’s rally on the front steps of the Historic Capitol, recognizing the organization’s corporate partners Starbucks […]

TAMPA - Governor Charlie Crist today held ceremonial signings of Senate Bill 146, the Anti-Murder Act, in Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale and Deltona before officially signing it in Tallahassee as the first law of the 2007 legislative session. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp announced the bill signing in Pensacola and Jacksonville, […]

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today delivered his first State of the State Address, applauding the Legislature's bipartisan work during the January special session on property insurance and providing an overview of his priorities for the 2007 Legislative Session.

"The people of Florida cried out for help because of skyrocketing […]

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today appointed three additional members to the Council on Efficient Government. Last week Governor Crist appointed four members and charged the council with searching for best practices to increase efficiency in state government.

"These three individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the […]

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that will provide comprehensive insurance reform, including broad-based, meaningful reductions in property insurance rates and enhanced competition within Florida's insurance market. The bill also includes consumer protections that require insurers to promptly pay claims and discontinue […]