Solicitation of contributions, landlord issues and motor vehicle repairs topped the list of complaints by Florida consumers in January, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The states 1-800-HELP-FLA consumer assistance hotline fielded 3,690 complaints last month, as the department also received 24,621 calls and 663 emails for consumer assistance and information. In the monthly report, the department also: -- initiated 180 investigations (156 administrative and 24 criminal);

Former congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack is applauding U.S. Sen. Rand Pauls remarks that followed the presidents State of the Union address. Mack said: Senator Rand Paul is right America must cut spending and balance our budget.

Gov. Rick Scott used his weekly video address to continue pushing his 2013 fiscal plan, including teacher pay raises and cuts to manufacturing sales taxes.

With officials on the Space Coast searching for private firms to help bridge the gap between the now-retired space shuttle program and rollout of the Space Launch System, a bill designed to expand where space-related incentives can be obtained by the private sector cleared its first hurdle in the state House.

U.S. Congressman Ted Yoho, R-Fla., has issued a response to President Obama's State of the Union address. After experiencing my first State of the Union, it is evident now more than ever that our government is divided. We have our work cut out for us.

The guess is that Rep. Katie Edwards didnt run her latest bill by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has tapped out super-sized soft drinks at 16 ounces at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries in his city.

Gov. Rick Scott and first lady Ann Scott will be in Miami on Wednesday afternoon to lend their support to victims of human trafficking. The Scotts are scheduled to attend a press conference with child advocate organizations at the state attorneys office in Miami, according to a release from the governors office.

The University of Central Florida and Florida International University have received accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the State University System of Florida announced Tuesday. The designation allows graduates of those programs to be matched to residency programs as they advance in their careers. State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan

The Palm Beach Post gets high marks for catching on to Debbie Wasserman Schultz's attempt at "a bit of deception" Monday when she tried to criticize fellow Floridian Marco Rubio ahead of his State of the Union rebuttal tonight.

Michael Reagan, adopted son of the late President Ronald Reagan and chairman of theLeague of American Voters, a national grassroots organization that supports free-enterprise, has given his endorsement to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's proposed immigration legislation, and suggests his father would do so if he were alive today.

The free-market supportive think tank R Street Institute has backed the move Monday by the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. board of governors to have Florida-based Weston Insurance Co. take over the approximately 31,000 personal residential, commercial residential and commercial nonresidential wind-only policies.

Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, has filed a bill, Senate Bill 236, intended to stimulate job growth by providing tax refunds to businesses that create new, high-demand, high-wage, and high-value jobs. SB 236 would offer tax refunds through the Qualified Targeted Industries and Qualified Defense Contract programs to space- and defense-related businesses that create high-wage jobs.

Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, has filed a bill proposed by Attorney General Pam Bondi that increases criminal penalties for those found ripping off military service personnel. The Military Protection Act, Senate Bill 716, extends existing protections under state statutes regarding deceptive and unfair trade practices to cover military service members and their families, Simpson stated in a release.

The Most Rev. Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami and president of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued a statement on Benedict XVI's forthcoming resignation from the papacy:

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced Monday its approval of an 18.8 percent statewide rate decrease for Praetorian Insurance Co.s collateral protection program. This rate filing impacts 126,336 policies representing a premium volume of $521 million and results in a decrease to consumers of $98 million, according to the state office. The insurance, called force-placed, typically is imposed on individuals who had failed to secure homeowners insurance as required by mortgage and other lenders.