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Politics

Crist gets antimurder bill

By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published March 9, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Three days into his first legislative session as a popular new governor, Charlie Crist got what he had demanded: fast action on a measure he says will protect Floridians, especially children, from the most dangerous criminals.

Legislation to keep violent probation violators off the streets is headed to his desk for his signature after 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's Jessica Lunsford and Hillsborough's Sarah Lunde and Sarasota's Carlie Brucia. In 2005 and 2006, lawmakers had concerns over the measure's multimillion-dollar price tag for new prison beds and uncertainty about the financial impact on courts and jails.

Some still have those concerns, but this time the quick passage of the bill was all but a done deal - proof of the power the new governor holds.

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 antimurder bill.

How serious was he?

"Dead serious," Crist said Thursday.

That ultimatum gave lawmakers little choice but to move fast, considering all the work they need to do in the remainder of the session on difficult issues such as property tax reform.

"He made it very clear, he threw down the gauntlet, that this was his top priority," said Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. "It means, 'You're not getting anything else unless you do this.' "

Bill keeps probation violators in jail

The bill requires that violent felons who violate probation be jailed until a judge decides whether they are a danger to the community and should go back to prison. Current law allows some probation violators to post bail while awaiting trial.

The legislation SB 146 and HB 29 outlines more than two dozen crimes qualifying someone as a "violent felony offender of special concern," from rape and attempted murder to computer pornography and arson.

"These individuals are the worst of the worst," said Rep. Sandra Adams, R-Oviedo, the bill's sponsor.

Crist said he will sign the bill into law early next week.

Crist has made his determination to pass the bill such an issue, Sen. Jim King of Jacksonville even pondered a proposal this week to rename the bill in the governor's name.

But Crist said if it were to be named for anyone, it should be for young victims like Jessica Lunsford and Sarah Lunde and Carlie Brucia.

King said that while Crist's influence as governor no doubt moved the legislation fast, its passage also reflects the growing concern among voters about the rising murder rate in cities like Jacksonville, as well as cases of child pornography and other crimes against children.

Cases like that of 9-year-old Lunsford, whose murderer John Couey was convicted this week, make the issue emotional for both lawmakers and their constituents, he said.

"This (bill) did sort of get a life of its own," King said.

"But we speak for the districts we represent, and I think the citizens at home are saying even louder than before, 'You guys need to make a difference.'

"Florida used to be associated with Mickey Mouse and everything nice. Now we're drive-by shootings and murders."

2,500 could be added to prison population

Florida's current prison population is more than 90,000. The measure could land about 2,500 additional offenders in prison within five years, according to a Senate analysis.

That would cost the state nearly $270-million in additional jail beds.

Crist's proposed $71.2-billion budget for next year includes $22-million to start adding prison capacity.

But what really worries some lawmakers is the cost of enforcement to local governments, which Senate staffers concluded is "indeterminate" but potentially "significant."

Counties already feel the burden of the zero tolerance policy the Department of Corrections passed after the 2003 murder of Carlie Brucia. Under zero tolerance, all probation violations, even technical ones by nonviolent offenders, are cause for someone to be arrested and jailed.

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, sponsor of the Senate bill, said the Corrections Department vows to relax zero tolerance for minor technical violations by nonviolent offenders once the so-called antimurder bill is in place. That, she and others insist, could save counties money.

King said some of the "doubting Thomases" may end up being right about the bill's financial burden.

"It could be a bottomless pit, but I think people at least want to give this a trial," he said. "And I think before the session is over, you'll see more anticrime legislation."

Case in point: The House Thursday unanimously passed a bill to increase the penalties for Internet child pornography.

Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at (850) 224-7263 or svansickler@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 01:34:52]