The finalized version of the federal stimulus package includes the possibility of a waiver for states whose funding might be snagged by requirements that they maintain a certain level of spending on education. Florida, which has cut its school budget repeatedly over the past 17 months, is among them.

The package Congress agreed to this week allows U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to waive the MOE requirements for states and school districts "that have experienced a precipitous decline in financial resources."

That's no guarantee, of course, that Duncan will grant Florida a waiver.

But it's hard to imagine, after Gov. Crist stood side by side with President Obama in Fort Myers Tuesday -- and is now getting thumped by the right for it -- that the Obama administration would say, "Sorry, Charlie."

Florida's share of the stimulus for education appears to be $5.1 billion, according to this state-by-state breakdown from the National Education Association.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter (AP photo)