Will Crist's education bill veto impact race?
Experts differ on whether he will run as an independent, stick it out in the GOP primary or drop out.
Published: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11:56 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11:56 p.m.
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist's whole life has been tied to education.
He is the son of a former school board chairman, his two sisters are teachers, and he once served as the state's education commissioner.
But in the end, it will be his decision last week to veto an education reform bill that could determine his political future.
In his veto message, the governor said his decision was not political but the result of "the incredible outpouring of opposition by teachers, parents, students, superintendents, school boards and legislators."
School boards and teachers unions across Florida came out against the bill, including some South Florida educators who stayed home from school in protest.
All week, those opposed to the bill came to the Capitol to try to buttonhole lawmakers and the governor to express their opposition to the bill, which would have tied future salary increases to student test performance, would have ended tenure for new teachers and would not have considered a teacher's advanced education or experience.
Supporters say the bill's goal was to reward the state's best teachers and make it easier to get