Looking ahead to a possible federal shutdown, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said on Thursday that members of Congress should not be paid if it happens.

Former state Rep. John Patrick Julien, who lost a close battle for a state House seat last year, passed away on Thursday. House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, issued a statement praising Julien: On behalf of the Florida House Democratic Caucus, I offer our sincerest sympathies on the passing of one of our most memorable colleagues, John Patrick Julien. We are deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family and loved ones.

With U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruling this week against medical liability reforms passed by the Legislature signed earlier this year, the Florida Medical Association (FMA) pushed back on Thursday and vowed to appeal.

Former Gov. Governor Jeb Bush and the Foundation for Excellence in Education announced on Thursday that former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson will speak at the 2013 National Summit on Education Reform on Oct. 17 in Boston. Olson will focus on how the law can help education reform; Rice will interview Olson on various cases he has handled for education reform. Bush will open the summit with a keynote address at a breakfast event on Oct. 17.

Rasmussen Reports released a national poll of American adults on Thursday which shows Americans are divided on whether Puerto Rico should be a state and oppose Washington, D.C., becoming one. While 35 percent of Americans favor Puerto Rican statehood, 40 percent oppose the notion. A quarter of those surveyed -- 25 percent -- are not sure. The poll also finds a majority of Americans -- 54 percent -- opposed to making Washington, D.C., a state. Only a quarter -- 25 percent -- support statehood for Washington, D.C., while 21 percent are not sure.

Rasmussen Reports released a national poll of American adults on Thursday which shows most Americans are generally opposed to new states or breaking up current states.

The lines between politics and professional wrestling have blurred in recent years. Jesse Ventura served as governor of Minnesota. Up in Connecticut, Linda McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), ran twice for the U.S. Senate and longtime champion Bob Backlund ran for Congress in the Constitution State. Here in Florida, former wrestler Brian Blair served on the Hillsborough County Commission.

Florida TaxWatch released a study on Thursday which finds Florida Boys and Girls Clubs (FBGC) produce good students who stay out of trouble with the law when compared to their peers. The study shows children involved with FBGC have higher median reading scores on the FCAT and considerably less involvement with the juvenile justice system, all of which saves taxpayers.

Gov. Rick Scott will be presenting the "Great Floridian" award to Dr. Robert Cade, famous Florida Gator and inventor of Gatorade, at the Cade Museum in Gainesville Thursday morning. Cade was an American physician, university professor, research scientist and inventor. He was involved in many areas of medical research throughout his life, but is probably best known for being the leader of the team that created the popular sports beverage, Gatorade.

Incoming House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, had kind words for Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, who was elected to be the next House Democratic leader on Wednesday night. Crisafulli and Pafford will assume their new positions after the 2014 elections. "I congratulate my colleague Mark Pafford on his election as Democratic leader designate, Crisafulli said. He is passionate in his beliefs and has always been a strong advocate for his constituents. I look forward to working with him to advance good public policy for our state."

Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Chairman Lenny Curry weighed in on House Democrats making Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, their new leader on Wednesday night. Curry portrayed Pafford's victory over Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, as a victory for liberals over moderates -- and for former Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich over former Gov. Charlie Crist in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

House Democrats convened on Wednesday night to select Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, to lead the party after the 2014 elections. In the aftermath of a feud with the Florida Democratic Party over setting up a fundraising committee for House candidates outside party control, Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, was outed from the incoming leader post on Monday. On Wednesday night,Pafford defeated Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, on a 29-12 vote to become the next House Democratic leader.

The South Florida Water Management District governing board adopted its $622.2 million fiscal 2014 budget Tuesday night, funding the agencys core flood control and water supply missions as well as its continued progress to restore the South Florida ecosystem -- and that includes Americas Everglades. More than 80 percent of the budget is invested in the environment, operations, and maintenance.

In Florida, there's never enough money to buy land, there's never enough money for education. Legislators, parents, educators, and community activists will rally Thursday, starting with a press conference, 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol in Tallahassee.

The scheduled hearing on the controversial Stand Your Ground law in the Florida House is delayed because the only state representative who filed a bill on the issue will be out of town for the original scheduled hearing. Item No. 1 is listed as No. 1, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said, because its the only project that Speaker Weatherford has given us and that is the application of Floridas Stand Your Ground law.