Charlie Crist seeking taxpayer financing for gubernatorial bid: When Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Crist launches ads later this summer, he’ll be getting a helping hand from Florida taxpayers. Crist is opting into Florida’s public campaign-finance system, a move that could net him millions of dollars for ads and force Republican Gov. Rick Scott to more tightly control his campaign spending. Crist, the former Republican governor turned Democrat, signed the paperwork to accept matching funds and agreeing to limit campaign spending on Monday when he qualified for the race. Read more

Congress Calls on Florida Delegation to Work Out Final Details of VA Reform Bill: This week the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House agreed to hammer out their differences over legislation to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the conference committee has a distinctly Florida feel.  U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., one of the leading Democrats on the Veterans Affairs Committee, will be on the committee on the House side. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will be representing the upper chamber. Read more

Wasserman Schultz injured but victorious in softball game: Hobbling afterward on crutches, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz pulled a hamstring muscle while helping the congressional women’s softball team on Wednesday defeat the women’s press corps in a charity game. The Weston Democrat, who broke her leg and twisted an ankle in a game five years ago, banged out a couple of base hits this year before getting injured while running toward second base. Her team went on to win 10-5 over the Bad News Babes to collect a trophy and bragging rights in the charity event, which raised money for the Young Survival Coalition. Read more

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