Back in September 2012, Gov. Rick Scott requested the federal government to declare Apalachicola Bay as a commercial fisheries failure with the continued poor oyster harvests. Late on Monday, Scott announced the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved the request.

Chris Latvala, son of Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, announced on Tuesday that he had won the endorsement of the man he is looking to replace in the Florida House, Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater. Very proud to announce the endorsement of Rep. Hooper, Latvala posted on Twitter. He will leave big shoes to fill in HD 67 but I will strive to make him proud.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio took time out of his Defund Obamacare tour Monday to visit with Will Muschamp, head coach of the University of Florida football team.

Gov. Rick Scott may have rejected the Dream Defenders' call for a special legislative session to discuss the Stand Your Ground law in Florida, but Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, and other legislators have filed written certificates with the Department of Stateto convene a special session to discuss the law.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports that the overtime bill for Sunday security at the Capitol during the 27th day of the Dream Defenders' sleep-in was $7,407.86. That's for the one night. Let's see now ... There were 10 Dream Defenders who spent the night. That makes the OT costs approximately $740.79 for every protester.

The Dream Defenders officially entered their 28th day of protest on Monday, and it doesn't appear that they'll be leaving the Florida Capitol any time soon.

Former Congressman Allen West continues to weigh in on the incident in Gulfport where three black teenagers assaulted a white teenager on a Pinellas County school bus.

The Campaign for Liberty, chaired by former Congressman Ron Paul, came out swinging at Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), this weekend while still urging him to support their position in reforming the GOPs presidential primaries.

Attorney General Eric Holder is calling for changes in the federal criminal justice system, and one change in particular would do away with some mandatory minimum sentencing policies that have sent many offenders to lengthy prison terms and have increased the cost of incarceration.

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott showcased the growth of Correct Craft, a manufacturer based in Orlando that is in the boating industry. One of Scotts chief priorities in the 2013 legislative session was eliminating the manufacturing sales tax.

Former Congressman Allen West has left the door open to a political comeback in 2016. While most political observers believe he will run again for the U.S. House or possibly for the U.S. Senate, West could have other ambitions -- namely, the White House. On Friday, West will head up to New Hampshire, home of the first presidential primary, to offer the keynote address the Nashua Republican City Committee. West started posting ads on Facebook on Monday asking his friends in New Hampshire to attend the event.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will be making a stop in Jacksonville Monday to speak about defunding Obamacare before the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. His trip to Jacksonville is one of many that the Florida senator will be making to speak out on Obamacare. On Monday afternoon he'll be heading to the University of Florida to speak again about the health care law before the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday, Rubio will be speaking again in Panama City and then will stop in Pensacola Wednesday to speak with small-business owners.

Conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats has emerged as a power broker in Iowa, home of the first presidential caucus, in recent election cycles. Vander Plaats helped former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania upset former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts in last years Iowa Republican caucus.

Florida Carry, a group that focuses on defending Second Amendment rights, launched a petition on Monday urging the state government to keep its Stand Your Ground law. Florida self-defense laws are under unprecedented attack, Florida Carry insisted in an email sent out on Monday. No person should be required to turn their back on a criminal attack. We call on you to Stand Your Ground and protect the right of the law-abiding people to defend themselves.

A new poll shows that most Americans are not fully satisfied with the new health care law, and most say it has either had no impact or hurt their lives.