Sen. Rene Garcia, R- Hialeah, and Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R- Hialeah, have introduced companion bills in their chambers that would prohibit Cuban-trained physicians --particularly if a U.S. citizen --from practicing in the Sunshine State. Senate Bill 456 and House Bill 517 would forbid U.S citizens or residents who travel to Cuba for the purpose of medical training or a medical degree from practicing in Florida.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that George Zimmerman has responded to a lawsuit claiming he owes some $27,000 to a company that provided him and his family round-the-clock security for 21 days in June and July of 2012.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has filed a bill, SB 504, intended to make it easier to prosecute those who abuse animals through animal fighting. Violence against animals is a serious problem, and Im committed to ensuring that our law enforcement and prosecutors have the necessary tools to bring animal abusers to justice, Brandes stated in a release.

On Monday, Florida Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi marked the international Data Privacy Day by encouraging people to protect their personal information and control their digital footprints. By protecting personal information, Floridians can help safeguard themselves from identification theft and fraud, Bondi said in a press release issued by her office.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has announced that he will lead a Florida trade mission to Santiago, Chile, from May 20-23. Chile is commonly rated one of the freest nations in the world, and one of the most economically prosperous, especially compared to the rest of Latin America.

An interestingbarometerof how the Sunshine State is doing economically, compared to the rest of the United States: theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports thatunemployment compensation claims in Florida fell 25 percent from last year, compared to a drop of only 8 percent nationwide. Another vindication of Rick Scott and the Republican Legislature's economic policies?

The Miami Heat will be at the White House this afternoon to receive a Congressional Proclamation to honor their 2012 NBA Championship. In anticipation of the appearance, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami Gardens, who will attend the teams White House visit may have overstated the national sentiments.

Marco Rubio of Florida has been a key player in a bipartisan group of eight senators looking to effect a top-to-bottom overhaul of the nation's immigration system.

After state officials have been cracking down the past couple of years on the explosion of South Florida clinics dubbed pills mills, where pain drugs were distributed with little regulation, the Miami to Boca Raton stretch has been listed as ground zero in another drug front.Performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs.

Bad Rumor Report: In December, I repeated a Tampa Bay Times story that Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper is considering a run for commissioner of agriculture on the Democratic ticket in 2014. But I caught up with Eric on another matter on Friday. He emphatically wanted me to know -- and tell the world -- that he is NOT running for Adam Putnam's job.

Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, unveiled a new portion of the Senate website that consolidates budget documents and information. The webpage is at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Topics/IntensiveBudgetReview/

House Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, implored individuals and business owners who believe they may be due some compensation from the Deepwater Horizon disaster to seek a claim. Many Floridians are unaware that they possess a legal right to money held in an uncapped fund set up through the settlement process that followed the 2010 oil spill, Trujillo stated Friday in a release.

Somewhere I missed where Dantes tour of the seven cycles of hell with Virgil mentioned having to listen to a couple of lengthy diatribes about the wonders of Satanism on the steps of the Old Capitol in Tallahassee. Just don't call them or the event a hoax.

January 27 begins Florida's "Prescribed Fire Awareness Week," and Agriculture Commissioner is reminding Floridians of theimportance of prescribed forest fires Floridas forest lands and preventing devastating wildfires.

As the second committee week wound down, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said things are going as well as expected. Asked Friday at the Capitol about how legislation and the legislators were shaping up for the regular session that begins March 5, his simple response: Like the guy who jumped off the 10th floor of the building, and as he passed the sixth floor, he said, So far so good'. Additional pre-session committee weeks are set for the weeks of Feb. 4, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18.