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Governor Charlie Crist named a new executive director to one of the most troubled agencies in state government. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities was 9 million over budget last year and has a long, 17 thousand person waiting list. The list includes people with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and autism. In making the appointment, the governor says Jim DeBeaugrine up to the task.

“Jim has extensive experience in serving the people of Florida,” Crist said. “He served the legislature for 19 years as an analyst and staff director for the House of Representatives.  There Jim gained considerable experience with Florida’s programs that deal with persons with disabilities.”

“Well, the first thing we have to do, is take care of the budget deficit,” DeBeaugrine said.  “Whenever resources become available, then we’ll be able to take people off the wait-list.”

The agency is facing a 13 million-dollar deficit this year that could grow wider. After a year at the agency, the new director says he knows what he is getting into.