Some good news out of Tallahassee:

Gov. Charlie Crist this week endorsed a statewide ban on texting while driving, a move that could save lives and prevent more carnage on our streets and highways -- if lawmakers sign on.

Julie Jones, executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, reportedly was persuaded to support the ban too, after some ``polite prodding'' by the governor.

It won't be that easy to get lawmakers to go along. They've snubbed similar proposals in years past.

A national report issued after the last legislative session rated the collision risk by drivers who are texting as 23 times greater than when not texting.

Legislators should think about that next time they're driving to Tallahassee for a business session.

As usual, there's also bad news out of the capital.

It concerns Frank Peterman, secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. He's racked up $44,000 of travel since February 2008, a high figure compared to some other department heads in Florida.

Much of that was to pay for flights between his office in the capital and St. Petersburg, where his family lives -- 68 trips in all -- and where he also has a second job as a $29,000-a-year church preacher.

Critics say he could be more effective back in the office fighting for more money. ``I've got to get out and get where the people are,'' Mr. Peterman said.

We don't know who's right, but a travel audit of all state employees could determine whether this is a legitimate expense or one more example of a state official getting a free ride on the taxpayers' dime.