With President Barack Obama offering the State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is looking to tie his agenda to former state CFO Alex Sink who is running in a special election for the congressional seat left open by the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla.

This week, Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, introduced the Second Amendment Protection Act which would ensure the state of Florida would not work with the federal agents when it came to enforcing federal gun laws. The bill would also ensure state employees who work with federal agents to enforce federal gun laws would be subject to punishment including losing their jobs. On Monday, Eagle said his proposal passed constitutional muster, pointing to both the Second and 10th amendments.

The Princeton Review and USAToday teamed up to compile the rankings of the private and public colleges and universities that represent the best values in the nation and two schools from the Sunshine State placed in the top 10. The New College of Florida ranked second among public colleges, placing only behind the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the rankings. The University of Florida placed seventh in the rankings.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the heavy favorite to be the Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 with senators and congressmen already flocking to her banner. The Hill is noting that 18 senators, almost a fifth of the chamber, have already endorsed Clinton for president. Clinton is also getting the backing of 38 members of the U.S. House.

With Winter Storm Leon looming across the South, the National Weather Service offered a winter storm warning for Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday for parts of North Florida including the Panhandle and Big Bend. The Florida Highway Patrol issued a warning on Tuesday for motorists:

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is leading a delegation to Panama this week as the agriculture community looks to increase trade with that Central American nation. Two years ago, a free trade agreement with that nation was completed and the Panama Canal expansion is expected to be finished next year.

Despite his many years in Tallahassee as a Republican, including serving in the leadership of both chambers of the Legislature, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano continues to support Rep. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey. After being appointed to his new position by Gov. Rick Scott, Fasano backed Murphy to replace him in the Florida House over the Republican candidate. Fasano will be hosting a fundraiser for Murphy in New Port Richey on Wednesday night. Former Pasco County Commissioner Michael Cox, a Democrat, and attorney Joan Nelson Hook are also hosting the event.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) continues to try to link President Barack Obama with former Gov. Charlie Crist. Despite spending most of his political career as a Republican, Crist is now the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November. Looking to win over his new party, Crist has been bringing on members of Obamas campaign team in recent weeks including naming Jim Messina as a campaign adviser last week.

A team of researchers from the University of South Florida will provide an update on Tuesday regarding the status of the ongoing research at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. The media availability will be held in the galleria at USF's Research Park. According to a press release, USF forensic anthropologist ErinKimmerle will provide updates on several topics including: excavations to date, the search for additional families for DNA testing, upcoming fieldwork and the next steps in the research.

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled a proposal for a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies starting on June 1. Batteries, flashlights, first aid kids and other supplies would be covered under Scotts proposal. This 15-day sales tax holiday will help Florida families prepare for hurricane season and let them keep more than $20 million, Scott said. This tax holiday will allow families to better protect and safeguard their homes during a storm.

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) will move its corporate headquarters from outside of Chicago to Boca Raton, bringing 225 new jobs to the area. CTCA runs five hospitals across the nation.

With reports that the communist government ruling Cuba is ramping up on arrests of pro-democracy activists, two South Florida Republican congressmen took aim at the Castro regime.

More than 70 members of Congress will be wearing orange lapel pins on Tuesday night when President Barack Obama offers his State of the Union address. The pins indicate support of No Labels, a group trying to push bipartisan solutions in Washington.

Gov. Rick Scott continued unveiling parts of his proposed budget, focusing on education on Monday morning. Scott announced his proposed budget would send $18.84 billion for K-12 public schools, $2 billion for state colleges and $3.59 billion for Floridas state universities. All of these are the highest levels in state history.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., continued to warn about taxpayer dollars being used to bail out President Barack Obamas federal health-care law. Rubio responded to a constituent question about the issue.