State: Crist wins on murder bill

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Crist wins on murder bill

Early Edition: Gov. Crist's priority legislation to keep violent probation violators off the streets is headed to his desk, following a unanimous House vote.

By Shannon Colavecchio Van Sickler
Published March 8, 2007

Gov. Crist's priority legislation to keep violent probation violators off the streets is headed to his desk, following a unanimous House vote Thursday. The Senate passed the measure, dubbed the "Anti-Murder Act," 40-0 on Wednesday.

"It's a tremendous victory for the children of Florida," Crist said after the House vote. "We're doing the people's work. This will make Floridians safer."

Crist failed twice as Attorney General to get the bill through, even in the wake of high-profile murders like that of Citrus County girl Jessica Lunsford and Carlie Brucia of Sarasota. Lawmakers in 2005 and 2006 had concerns over the measure's multimillion-dollar price tag for new prison beds and uncertainty over the financial impact on local courts and jails.

Some still have those concerns, but this time Anti-Murder's quick passage was all but a done deal - proof of the power Crist holds as a popular new governor whose signature is required to turn bills into law.

Crist made the legislation a cornerstone of his campaign, and after he won, he told House and Senate leaders he would not sign any other bill into law this session until legislators sent him the Anti-Murder Bill.

Politics

Crist wins on murder bill

Early Edition: Gov. Crist's priority legislation to keep violent probation violators off the streets is headed to his desk, following a unanimous House vote.