Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

PSC job to wait for end of session

By TIMES STAFF
Published April 13, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist is enjoying a stroke of good timing that will allow him to wait until the regular legislative session ends May 4 before he promotes state Sen. Nancy Argenziano to the Public Service Commission. "That's my desire, and I believe it's hers as well," Crist said. "Most importantly, I want the people of her district to have good representation through the conclusion of the session." The governor got a list of six finalists for two PSC openings Monday. By law, he doesn't have to make the appointments until mid May. Crist said Manny Ariso, the only Hispanic finalist, is a strong candidate for the other opening. "Diversity is important to me," Crist said.

House approves $8M cut for USF's Byrd center 

The House passed a bill Thursday cutting state funding by more than 50 percent to the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute at University of South Florida in Tampa. The bill (HB 7079) would cut the center's yearly state grant from $15-million to $7-million, and that award would be subject to approval by a 36-member council of experts. "Next year, they are not automatically going to get that money," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach. The Byrd Center, named for the father of former House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, opposes the change.

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 01:21:48]