TALLAHASSEE — When he signs the state budget on Friday, Gov. Charlie Crist will be waiting for just one major piece of legislation from the 2010 session: a highly controversial abortion bill.
The measure, which would require pregnant women in Florida to view a sonogram of the fetus, sits in a file drawer in the desk of House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, whose spokeswoman said there's no specific reason why it hasn't been sent to Crist.
"We just haven't sent it. There's no sense of urgency," spokeswoman Jill Chamberlin said.
Crist must act on a bill within 15 days of receiving it. The bill would take effect July 1.
Opponents speculate that House leaders are deliberately delaying to give bill supporters the most possible time to flood the governor's office with calls and e-mails.
Todd Reid, staff director of the House Republican caucus, said the House is holding the bill "to give pro-life folks time to get their act together and contact the governor."
Through Thursday, Crist's office had received 20,018 calls, e-mails and letters urging him to sign the bill, and 12,989 total messages urging a veto.
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