After taking heat last week for a delay in applying for federal education stimulus funds, Gov. Charlie Crist submitted the state's application Friday night.

The 17-page application is signed by Crist and Education Commissioner Eric Smith. The federal government has said it can take two weeks to be processed. Because lawmakers are relying on $2 billion in stimulus funds to shore up the education budget, the news can't come soon enough.

Crist signed the section when it indicates Florida needs a waiver because the state hasn't maintained education spending at 2005-06 levels, as required by the federal stimulus program.