"I don't know," Crist answered when asked Wednesday if he supports the merit pay bill.

The Governor has until the end of Friday to veto the legislation. Earlier in the week he said he'd take most the time he has to weigh his decision, though now hints a decision could happen as early as today.

"I always say it's good to listen and I've done a lot of that this week," Crist said. "It may be that we're able to reach a conclusion before Friday. I would like to be able to do that."

Students, teachers, superintendents and parents have spent the week holding rallies around the state to build opposition for the bill. Crist says he's even met with many teachers from around Florida to hear their concerns.

"They deal with the evaluation process," Crist says of his problems with the bill. "They deal with the budgeting process."

Under the legislation, school districts would have to set aside five percent of their budgets to cover the annual costs of performance-based pay raises.

"There are a number of teachers I've spoken with, young teachers, who are telling me I need to look for another profession," Duval County's 2009 teacher of the year Majorie Nolan tells WOKV. "This is too insecure if my job is year to year."

Crist's decision certainly could have political implications.

Crist is running for the U.S. Senate and is down nearly 30 points to Marco Rubio in the latest Republican primary poll.

"I think the bill allows us to reward good teachers with higher pay," Rubio said of Senate Bill 6, indicating he'd sign the legislation if he were in Crist's position. "I think it is something we should be supportive of."

Most Republicans in the Florida Legislature also support the bill. A handful voted against the legislation in both the House and Senate and every Democrat voted against the bill.

Still, some teachers are writing letters to Crist, telling the Governor they are Republicans who will vote in the Senate primary.