{"content":[{"text":"scheduled for one more committee stop before it could head to the floor.","bbox":{"left":0.154474,"top":0.091174,"width":0.6199089999999999,"height":0.016643000000000005}},{"text":"CHRISTIAN COALITION BACKING EMBRYONIC STEM CELL FUNDING BAN \n The Christian Coalition is urging its members to tell lawmakers to keep proviso \n language in the budget that would ban the use of state money to fund embryonic \n stem cell research. Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, included the language in the \n budget, barring state money going to universities and university-related research \n centers from using any of that money to pay for embryonic stem cell research. \n “What kind of value system do we have when we will protect turtle eggs but \n have such a low regard for the human embryo, especially when funding \n embryonic stem cell research draws funds away from adult stem cell research \n where results have been far more promising?\" Dennis Baxley, Executive \n Director of Christian Coalition of Florida, said in a statement sent to its \n members. Baxley and other embryonic stem cell opponents have in recent \n years cited promising research in adult stem cells as a viable alternative to the \n more controversial proceduce using embryos. The ban on state money for \n embryonic research isn't in the Senate budget.","bbox":{"left":0.154474,"top":0.125552,"width":0.690317,"height":0.257284}},{"text":"HOW MANY STUDENTS? \n Projected school enrollment for Florida hasn't changed much since the \n Economic and Demographic Research Office's last meeting in February, \n increasing only by 71.56 students. However, enrollment in the state's public \n education system is taking a dive from this past year. The latest calculation for \n the 2008-2009 school year, put enrollment at 2,618,006. The numbers released \n Monday put next school year's enrollment at 2,608,006, a decrease of 10,000. \n The state Legislature uses these numbers to determine how much money \n schools should receive in state dollars.","bbox":{"left":0.154474,"top":0.400571,"width":0.680505,"height":0.15415199999999996}},{"text":"POLITICAL BRIEFS","bbox":{"left":0.154474,"top":0.572457,"width":0.176242,"height":0.016642999999999963}},{"text":"MEEK SNARES ANOTHER UNION ENDORSEMENT: While some of the \n biggest names in Florida politics are still pondering the 2010 U.S. Senate race, \n or have already passed on it, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek is continuing his active \n pursuit of the seat. Meek, a Miami Democrat running to replace retiring Sen. Mel \n Martinez, picked up another union endorsement Monday, winning the backing of \n the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, his \n campaign announced. While traveling the state seeking signatures for qualifying \n position, Meek rallied with union members in Hallandale Beach, where he hailed \n the union's membership. \"The men and women of AFSCME represent the fabric \n of Florida by mentoring our children, supporting our university students, \n implementing critical government programs, and treating our family members in \n hospitals,” Meek said in a statement. AFSCME International President Gerald \n W. McEntee returned the favor, explaining why the union, which traditionally \n backs Democrats, is choosing sides so early in the primary that will at least \n include Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber. “Throughout his tenure in Congress, \n Rep. Meek has stood solidly with the members of AFSCME on a variety of \n important issues, from raising the minimum wage to increasing our nation’s","bbox":{"left":0.154474,"top":0.606835,"width":0.689665,"height":0.291662}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}