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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.
By Shannon Colavecchio Van Sickler
Published March 8, 2007
TALLAHASSEE -- Three days into his first legislative session as governor, Charlie Crist got what he wanted: A measure that he says will protect Floridians, especially children, from the most dangerous criminals. 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. How serious was he? "Dead serious," Crist said Thursday.
[Last modified March 8, 2007, 15:25:01]
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by Anna
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03/09/07 09:19 AM
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Thank you. We need to save our kids.
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by Richard
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03/08/07 10:28 PM
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Do what the Sheriff in Maricopa County AZ did. He built a tent city in the courtyard of the Jail where offenders of non-violent minor crimes were placed thereby freeing up space inside the main jail for the perpertrators of the more serious crimes.
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by Bart
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03/08/07 07:48 PM
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God bless our Governor. It's about time we got someone with hutzpa in office.
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by Paul
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03/08/07 07:13 PM
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I hope that the legislation doesn't make even very minor probation violations into going-back-to-jail-and-prison scenarios. Otherwise, sounds like decent legislation.
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by michael
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03/08/07 05:46 PM
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great move, kids already have to contend with what their parents have done to the earth and environment when they grow up,at least give them a chance to grow up to do something about it !!!!!!!
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by Joe
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03/08/07 05:38 PM
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Although commendable legislation, who pays the bill for the county jail time, the local prosecutors and public defenders ? The local government does. Then how do we say that local governments overspend ? The legislature did not fund this state mandat
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by Sam
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03/08/07 05:04 PM
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So what exactly does the bill say? HOW is it going to keep dangerous criminals off of the streets? I don't understand posting this article/item if you're not going to explain the contents of the actual bill.
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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