Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, said Wednesday he is waiting for facts before he begins crafting legislation on pension reform -- but in the debate so far, both sides claim they have "facts" on their side.

The stakes were raised Monday in the debate over reforming Florida’s public pension system, as one union official decried the proposed “radical” changes and the “myths” public officials expound whenever they talk about the system.

Labor leaders Thursday called on Gov. Charlie Crist and the leadership of both houses to expand the focus of the special session to change state statutes so unemployed Floridians will be able to receive extended unemployment benefits.

The Florida AFL-CIO on Sunday endorsed Congressman Kendrick Meek, the Democratic frontrunner for the U.S. Senate nomination, and rejected an appeal from Gov. Charlie Crist’s independent campaign for the office.

Meek now has the backing and organizational support from a group that represents more than 500,000 Floridians and more than 500 locals across the state. 

Trailing badly in the polls behind Republican candidate Marco Rubio and newly independent Gov. Charlie Crist, Congressman Kendrick Meek spoke to the AFL-CIO convention in Jacksonville on Saturday morning, desperately seeking their endorsement.

The anticipation building Friday at the Florida AFL-CIO's meeting in Jacksonville was as thick as confetti on election night, as high-profile political candidates with high hopes began passionately courting labor leaders during the union's 2010 endorsement convention.