When his name emerged as a possible independent candidate for governor, Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon said that he would wait until the end of the legislative session before he commented on any possible campaign. So far, he has been true to his word. When asked about his plans today after a media event for the governor’s Task Force on Autism, Sheldon said he was focused on his department, namely trying to keep DCF intact. “That’s where the fight is,” he said.

Gov. Charlie Crist had harsh words for the Republican-controlled Legislature in the media event a few moments ago where he announced his veto of teacher performance pay.

Crist said he vetoed the bill due to its impact on special education, its encroachment on local control and the way legislators sped the measure through committee without including the input of teachers, students and parents.

The House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning met Thursday to tackle redistricting at both the congressional and state levels. It also released its “My Florida Census” site, which will help the federal government count as many residents of the state as possible.

“We found 18 streets in Osceola County that the census did not account for,” said Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. “The areas of concern are areas of new construction.”

The lobby of the Capitol has been draped in children’s artwork as Florida celebrates Children’s Week. Some of it apparently strayed over toward the governor’s office. Next to the portrait of Lawton Chiles, there was a pair of hands, cut out and colored. Written on them was, “These hands are for Gov. Chiles + Debbie Withers.” Having focused on education and children’s programs like Florida Healthy Start during his two terms in office, it was a fitting tribute to Chiles, one of the truly legendary figures in Florida politics.

The Governors Inn, a historic hotel in downtown Tallahassee, held a re-opening tonight and honored four living former governors by naming rooms after them. With Gov. Charlie Crist and former Gov. Bob Martinez in attendance, the inn unveiled rooms in honor of Martinez, Reubin Askew, Bob Graham and Claude Kirk.

“This was a home away from home,” said Martinez, as he reflected on his years as mayor of Tampa and his many trips coming to Tallahassee since 1993, when his service in George H. W. Bush’s administration ended.

Naples businessman Rick Scott, best know for leading Conservatives for Patients' Rights, declared his candidacy for governor this afternoon. Scott will be running as a Republican despite the fact that Attorney General Bill McCollum and Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, are already in the race.