Freshman Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach asked Gov. Charlie Crist today to veto the $66.5 billion budget because of concerns about cuts to programs for the elderly.

Pafford, a former aide to WPB Mayor Lois Frankel, picked a bad day to make news, however.

Pafford hand-delivered a letter to Crist requesting the veto just as the governor’s campaign staff sent out a press release ending months of speculation about whether Crist will run for U.S. Senate. As expected, he will.

Also today U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, folded on his opposition to Craig Fugate’s pending appointment to head FEMA. Fugate is the former head of Florida emergency operations.

And with hurricane season just around the bend Crist announced he was appointing Fugate’s deputy Ruben Almaguer to take his former boss’s place. Almaguer’s new job also is being upstaged by Crist’s candidacy.

Here’s what Pafford had to say in defense of the one out of five Floridians who are seniors.

The budget lawmakers passed on Friday takes away $2.5 million from senior services, including home care and community care for the elderly and Alzheimer’s programs and has a negative impact on about 29,000 seniors in Florida, Pafford wrote.

Pafford mentioned the 103-year-old woman in his district who has been on a waiting list for two years for home care to help keep her out of a nursing home.

He asked Crist to veto the budget and call a special session to force lawmakers to come up with a better spending plan.

“As you might imagine, many seniors on waiting lists for services cannot wait another 14 months for the care that they need today,” Pafford concluded.

McCollum talks to reporters in Orlando

ORLANDO — Attorney General Bill McCollum will wait until next week to announce whether he’s running for governor, but he’s not waiting to push back against criticism from Chief Financial Officer and potential gubernatorial rival Alex Sink.

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In the anticipation of Gov. Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign announcement this morning, I missed the fact that the top of the release included the names of his first two employees.

Pablo Diaz, 33, will be political director. Diaz has been the appointments director for the governor’s office for the past 14 months. Previously, he was with the Republican Party of Florida, working as the director of field operations and coalitions director since 2005.

Dane Eagle, 25, will be finance director. He’s been with Crist since leaving the University of Florida in January 2006. Eagle worked in several roles on the ’06 campaign and in the governor’s office, most recently as a deputy chief of staff.

Both men resigned their positions in the governor’s office yesterday.

A Louisiana U.S. Senator angry over the feds’ response to Hurricane Katrina has backed off his opposition to former Florida emergency management director Craig Fugate’s appointment to head FEMA.

Sen. David Vitter has relented after holding up Fugate’s appointment over questions unanswered by officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

President Barack Obama nominated Fugate, appointed in Florida by Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, more than two months ago, in part because of his lauded handling of two seasons of back-to-back hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

With less than a month to go until hurricane season begins, Vitter has been criticized by the White House and members of his own party, including Florida U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, for stalling the nomination.

Gov. Charlie Crist announced today that Fugate’s former deputy Ruben Almarguer will take over the state agency as interim director.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio on Fox News reacting to the announcement that he’ll face Gov. Charlie Crist in a GOP primary:

“We’re at a moment to choose what we want Republicanism to mean in the 21st century.”

Listen to the interview here.

Palm Beach County Republican Party Chairman Sid Dinerstein might be the only person in Florida surprised by Gov. Charlie Crist’s announcement today that he’s running for U.S. Senate.

Dinerstein last week flatly predicted that Crist would not run for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.

Dinerstein today said he wishes Crist had decided to seek reelection as governor.

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After months of sidestepping questions about a potential U.S. Senate run, here’s more from Gov. Charlie Crist on why he decided to enter the fray.

Crist answered a few questions at his second press conference of the day after announcing his candidacy by delivering what sounded a lot like a campaign speech.

He said there was “no particular issue” that caused him to jump in the race but reiterated his earlier remarks that he was doing it for “the people” and mentioned his affinity to “serve” or “serving” three times in the following response.

“Just the general feeling of what I said earlier. And that is that you know a lot of the challenges that are facing our state are challenges that are national problems. And I think that, as I said before, what’s important to me is serving and striving to serve with a servant’s heart and wanting to serve in a place where I can do most for my fellow Floridians. And I’m convinced that that is in the United States Senate,” Crist said.

Shortly after the press release announcing Crist’s candidacy was released, he was endorsed by Sen. John Cronyn of Texas, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee although Crist faces a GOP challenger, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, in the primary.

Q: Isn’t this a decision that should be made rightly by Florida voters not by Washington politicians?

A: “Of course. And I’m sure it will be.”

Q: Did you cut a deal with Sen. Cronyn to get the endorsement?
A: No, no. He just offered support and I’m very grateful for it.”

Here’s where Crist launches into a campaign stump-like speech touting his achievements since taking office two-and-a-half years ago, starting with education.

“I hope it’s a reflection of what we’ve been able to do in Florida. What I mean by that is we’re talking about education here today. And I think what Florida has done in education has been extraordinary. When I got elected governor we were ranked 31st in the country out of 50 states by Education Weekly. We’ve now moved into the top 10 in the country. I think that’s great. I think it’s because we take a measure. We have accountability. I would give great credit to my predecessor in that regard, Gov. Bush.”
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From former Gov. Jeb Bush’s spokeswoman, Kristy Campbell:

Governor Bush is not considering a 2010 gubernatorial run in Florida. He will continue to play a constructive role in the future of the Republican Party, advocating conservative solutions to the 21st century challenges we face, specifically in the area of education.

Attorney General Bill McCollum just sent out this statement:

“I congratulate Governor Crist on his decision to run for the United States Senate. This decision obviously changes the political landscape in Florida. I will announce my plans for the 2010 election cycle next week.

In his first comments to the press after announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, Crist said he’s doing it for “the people.”

“For me it’s always been about service, wanting to serve the people of Florida the very best I possibly can. I am honored to be the governor of this great state. I also understand that the challenges that Florida faces are not just Florida challenges. They’re national issues,” Crist said at a press conference this morning where he named the new emergency management director.

“And as a result of that I believe that I can best serve the people of Florida if they’re willing to allow me, as their next United States senator. That’s why I’m running for the Senate. To serve the people the very best way that I possibly can,” he said.

The characteristically talkative Crist gave brief responses to a few questions before exiting the 9:30 press conference but has another press conference scheduled an hour later.

When asked when he decided to run, Crist said: “This weekend. “I was at home. We talked about it last week and had the occasion to talk to Carole about it and my mom and dad. I’m excited about the opportunity and I look forward to serving.”

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Gov. Charlie Crist tapped Craig Fugate’s right-hand man Ruben Almaguer to replace the former head of the state’s emergency management department.

Almaguer served as deputy director of the Division of Emergency Management for the past two years before Crist appointed him as interim director this morning.

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From Marco Rubio’s Twitter page:

Disappointed GOP senate comm endorses Crist on day 1. Remember that reform must always come from the outside.Status quo won’t change itself.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn endorsed Crist this morning moments after the governor’s announcement.

It’s official.

After months of speculation, Republican Charlie Crist announced this morning he will forgo a second term as governor and instead run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.

“Here in Florida, we’ve shown that when we put people first and work together much can be accomplished, and I intend to bring that same approach to Washington,” Crist said in a statement.

“That is why, after thoughtful consideration with my wife Carole, I have decided to run for the U.S. Senate.”

(Read the statement here.)

Crist is the first governor to decline a re-election bid since voters amended the constitution in 1968 to let the state’s chief executive seek a second four-year term.

It will be Crist’s fourth campaign in 10 years, all for different statewide elected seats. No other Florida politician has been elected to four different statewide seats.

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The announcement was met with an immediate endorsement from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. (Read that statement here.)

The endorsement is significant considering Crist’s announcement creates a GOP primary with former House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. Rubio has indicated he would remain in the race even if “more famous” candidates entered.

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ORLANDO — Mayor Buddy Dyer, introducing Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink at a women’s conference here this morning, said that “I believe she will probably be the next governor in the state of Florida.”

Sink, for the next few hours anyway, isn’t talking about the possibility of running for governor if Gov. Charlie Crist does as expected and announces today that he’s running for U.S. Senate.

“My next step is to hear what the governor has to say this afternoon. I’m very interested in what he has to say and then we’ll go from there,” Sink said.

Once Crist makes his plans official, Sink indicated it won’t be long before she announces her own plans.

“The governor announced in January that he was thinking about running for Senate. So you always have to be prepared for any eventuality….I like to be prepared,” Sink said.

Democrat Sink is heading back to Tallahassee. Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum, another likely candidate for governor if Crist runs for Senate, will speak to the same women’s conference in a few hours.

Expected to announce a campaign tomorrow for U.S. Senate, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist took a handful of questions from reporters during his visit today to Westminster Oaks Health Care Center in Tallahassee.

The questions, at this point, are irrelevant. So we’ll just give you his answers and one little hint (the third-person pronoun refers to RPOF Chairman Jim Greer):

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll have something more to say about that tomorrow.”

“I appreciate his confidence. No announcement has been made yet.”

“I think he expressed his feelings.”

“Let’s see what tomorrow’s announcement brings.”

“I think we’ll issue a statement.”

“Serving the people.”

For those interested in some background click here.

Marion Hammer is fighting mad.

The former NRA president and executive director of United Sportsmen of Florida sent out an e-mail call to arms over a trust fund raid by lawmakers included in their budget plan awaiting Gov. Charlie Crist’s signature.

Lawmakers took more than $580 million from trust funds to put into reserves, including $6 million from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing trust fund.

That’s the pot of money that comes from fees paid by gun owners to get concealed weapons permits and that is used to get the licenses issued. After the raid, there will be about $2 million left in the fund.

What’s bothering Hammer is that the department has a backlog of applications and it’s taking about a week longer than the 90 days required by law to grant the licenses or renewals or deny them.

And what’s really got her irked is that lawmakers aren’t using the money to fill budget gaps in education or health care spending.
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Big spenders, get your rods and reels ready and unfold your wallet.

Senate President Jeff Atwater and his GOP lieutenants are fishing for funds at the swank Boca Grande’s “Premiere Tarpon Tournament” next month.

The June 14 and 15 weekend hosted by Atwater, Senate President Pro Tem Mike Fasano and Senate Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla doesn’t come cheap, however.

Five large gets a ticket and reception. Ten grand buys space on a boat, a ticket and the reception.

And $25,000 gets you space on a boat with a VIP plus the ticket and reception.

The money will be spent on 2010 GOP senate races.

The high-dollar event comes just a month after lawmakers spent a week longer than usual crafting a $66.5 billion budget with $6 billion less than last year. They cut back money for Florida Forever and Everglades restoration, raised tuition at colleges and universities and slashed spending to keep seniors out of nursing homes.

No word on whether the GOP leaders plan to hold fundraiser for the elderly and college students.

WEST PALM BEACH — While mum on speculation she might run for governor, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink took a shot at potential gubernatorial rival Bill McCollum today in remarks at a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches lunch.

Sink, emphasizing her credentials as the state’s top financial watchdog, ripped the practice of awarding no-bid government contracts to political “cronies” — a reference to Attorney General McCollum’s giving one of his former political consultants a contract to produce public-service ads.

With Republican Gov. Charlie Crist expected to announce he’s running for U.S. Senate, Democrat Sink is expected to launch a campaign for governor. McCollum, a Republican, is also expected to run for governor if Crist jumps into the Senate race.

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WEST PALM BEACH — Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink offered no clue about a potential run for governor today as she prepared to address a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches lunch here.

“I’m just waiting to hear what the governor says tomorrow,” Sink told reporters when asked when she might announce her plans.

Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to announce that he’s running for U.S. Senate. If he does, Democrat Sink is expected to jump into the governor’s race.

Today, however, she’s not talking politics.

“My top priority is to continue to do the job that Floridians expect me to do,” Sink said. About 450 people are expected for today’s Forum Club lunch.

The Florida Supreme Court halted the execution of John Richard Marek, accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering a woman in Broward County woman more than 25 years ago.

Gov. Charlie Crist last month ordered the 47-year-old former Texas drifter’s execution to take place on Wednesday. It was the second death warrant signed for the murder of 47-year-old Adella Marie Simmons. Former Gov. Bob Martinez issued the first death warrant in 1988.

Simmons was one of two women returning home on the Florida Turnpike in 1983 when their car broke down. Marek and Raymond Wigley stopped and tried to fix the car but were unable to. They pair convinced Simmons to ride with them to a service station.

According to court records, they instead took her to a lifeguard stand at a beach about 60 miles away where she was sexually assaulted and then strangled with a bandana.

A police officer stopped Marek and Wigley but let them go. A lifeguard found her body several hours later.

Marek’s attorney Marty McClain asked the court to stay the execution because, he argued, Wigley committed the murder but was sentenced to life in prison.

The Court will hear oral arguments on the case on May 20.