Crist plans to veto "seagrass" bill, but not much more in budget

Gov. Charlie Crist just said he plans to veto legislation that could have set up a program that could have allowed developers to destroy some seagrass beds as long as they restored seagrasses in other areas.

The problem: No one's sure if the so-called "mitigation" plan for seagrasses will work. Environmentalists are split over the legislation because it had loads of good stuff for wildlife managers. But Crist decided just to end the issue.

"I will veto it," Crist said. Asked why, he said:l "to save the seagrass, of course. Why not?"

In other veto news, when Crist takes up the budget Wednesday, he plans few vetoes. He said he not only respects all the cuts the Legislature already signed off on, but also doesn't want to damage the economy more by withholding more spending.