A poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, shows a tight race in Tuesday's special election for the congressional seat left open by the death of U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., as the contest is within the margin of error. The poll was commissioned by the League of Conservation Voters' Victory Fund which is backingformer state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate in the race,

The various campaigns and the pundits are expecting a close contest in Tuesdays special election for the congressional seat left open by the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla. With that being the case, Republicans backing David Jolly are starting to worry about Libertarian Lucas Overby who has polled consistently in the mid-single digits and has cracked double digits in some polls.

Republican congressional candidate Carlos Curbelo spoke at this year'sConservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, highlighting how his experiences as an immigrant from Cuba have shaped his political beliefs and criticizing Barack Obama's signature health-care law. Curbelo was named a "Top 10 Conservative Under 40 at the American Conservative Unions annual conference.

Gov. Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., and Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown reached across party lines to showcase the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) project at the Dames Point Marine Terminal, part of the JaxPort system. The new system will allow quicker cargo transfer and is estimated to create more than 340 construction jobs and lead to hundreds of jobs in the future. The project relies on both federal and state funding.

The Florida chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) launched Small Business Days on Monday. The NFIBs program includes a reception at the governors mansion with Gov. Rick Scott. Bill Herrle, the executive director of the Florida chapter of the NFIB, praised Scott on Monday, saying the governor was good for small businesses. Herrle also expressed support for Scotts call to cut business retail taxes by $100 million which is one of the governors chief goals for the current legislative session.

Gov. Rick Scotts campaign team weighed in on President Barack Obama vacationing in Florida over the weekend and former Gov. Charlie Crist appearing in Washington to speak at the annual Gridiron Club dinner. Despite spending most of his political life as a Republican, Crist is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Scott in November.

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., who was accused by his wife of a domestic violence incident, was cleared of the charge by the Orange County sheriff's office. Earlier in the week, Lolita Grayson, the congressmans wife of 24 years who is currently engaged in a divorce battle with him, was granted a temporary injunction against the congressman. Grayson responded by showing video of his wife attacking him.

On Friday, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Consumer Energy Alliance submitted almost 24,300 signatures from Florida to federal officials in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, threw his weight behind David Jolly, the Republican candidate in the special congressional election in Pinellas County. Jolly takes on Democrat former state CFO Alex Sink and Libertarian Lucas Overby in Tuesdays election.

Noting that this weekend marked the fourth anniversary of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis, D-Calif., statement that Congress needed to pass President Barack Obamas health-care law to see what was in it, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) took aim at former state CFO Alex Sink on the law on Friday. Sink is the Democratic candidate running in a special congressional election on Tuesday when she faces Republican David Jolly and Libertarian Lucas Overby.

Florida Tourism Day will be celebrated March 12 at the state Capitol. According to a press release from the Partnership for Floridas Tourism,tourism and hospitality leaders will convene in Tallahassee for a daylong event designed to "educate the Legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Floridas tourism industry." Tourism is a booming business in Florida -- approximately 94.7 million visitors came to the state in 2013, making it a record year for visitation to Florida and exceeding the previous high of 91.5 million in 2012.

The unemployment rate for 18-to-29-year-olds was much higher than the national unemployment rate for February, according to a report released Friday by Generation Opportunity. The effective unemployment rate, which adjusts for labor force participation by including those who have given up looking for work, is15.8percent. The (U-3) unemployment rate for 18-to-29-year-olds is11.4percent.

The U.S. economy added 175,000 jobs for the month of February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. February's numbers are up from just 129,000 jobs added in January. The national unemployment rate increased slightly to 6.7 percent, up from a five-year low of 6.6 percent. This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., took to the House floor on Thursday and attacked President Barack Obamas decision to shift funds from Medicare to pay for his signature health-care law. Nearly 30 percent of all seniors 15 million Americans choose Medicare Advantage, Bilirakis said. Individuals have testified before the Energy and Commerce [Committee] that Medicare Advantage provides better results than traditional Medicare by embracing free-market principles.

Overnight protests will no longer be allowed at the Florida Capitol. According to the new rules, sleeping overnight in any public areas of the Capitol would be prohibited. Unauthorized people would also not be allowed to stay at the Capitol after normal hours and a permit will be required to prepare food in public areas or hallways of the building.