U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, spent $109.90 per vote in his unsuccessful bid for the new Congressional District 18 seat, according to the Sun Sentinel. The total doesnt include money from special interests that flooded into the northern Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast district. Democrat Patrick Murphy spent $25.05 per vote in his winning effort.

Attorney General Pam Bondis Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns will meet Monday at 1 p.m. in the state Capitol. The task force that Bondi chairs was created in the 2012 legislative session.The task force has been charged with determining the scope of the problem, effective treatment for babies, and prevention strategies for expectant mothers.

The state may not get back money pumped into Piper Aircraft four years ago for an expansion that failed to take off. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers reports that a deal has been worked that would allow Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach to keep the $10.6 million in state and local incentives the aircraft manufacturer received if it is able to hold the line on the current staffing level. Indian River County Attorney Alan Polackwich told Scripps that the agreement is "a compromise."

Calls about solicitation for contributions, problems with motor vehicle repair and landlord-tenant issues remain the top reason people call the state s1-800-HELP-FLA consumer hotline. In November, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received 21,284 calls and 606 emails for consumer assistance, with more than 12,200 complaints filed. The top complaints were for violations of the states Do Not Call list, people selling travel packages and telemarketing.

Gov. Rick Scott celebrated the beginning of Hanukkah by participating in a ceremonial lighting of the menorah with Rabbi Schneur Oirechman of Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle-Tallahassee.

The AP reports on popular former Florida governor Charlie Crist's latest party flavor of the month: "Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist has announced on Twitter that hes joining the Democratic Party. "Crist sent out a Tweet on Friday night that said, 'Proud and honored to join the Democratic Party in the home of President (at)Barack Obama!'

Wayne Rogers joined The Willis Report on Tuesday to discuss Gov. Rick Scott's success in Florida, and how he has reduced the deficit by cutting unnecessary spending. "He's reduced the deficit in Florida by $2 billion, that's amazing in itself. I don't think there is another state like that," Rogers told host Gerri Willis. "Why can't Washington have the same attitude as Rick Scott in Florida?," Willis replied.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, was on cable news Friday morning announcing his plans to introduce legislation to suspend the $2 billion a year the U.S. spends in aid to Egypt in protest of Mohamed Morsis apparent power-grab. He added that with the U.S. on the brink of its own fiscal cliff the nation needs to reassess all $52 billion a year spent in foreign aid.

The Sun Sentinel has the scoop on two Oakland Park brothers, Pakistan natives, who are charged with plotting to carry out jihad mass murder, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction: "Two Oakland Park brothers pleaded not guilty to terrorism conspiracy charges Friday morning at a brief hearing in federal court in Fort Lauderdale.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will present Florida-grown Christmas trees for the entrances to the Capitol offices of Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Tuesday. Each year, Florida's 100 tree-farms harvest approximately 14,000 trees, which earns the state more than $2 million in cash receipts, a release from Putnams office stated. The trees were grown by Franco and Sigrid Camacho of the Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm in Tallahassee.

A coalition of regional Tea Party organizations from across the Sunshine State has penned a letter to Sen. Joe Negron, R-Palm City, who chairs the Florida Senate'sSelect Committee on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare):

Florida Rep. Alan B. Williams, D-Tallahassee, has become the third Democrat to throw his hat into the ring for House speaker for the 2015-2016 sessions. Williams joins Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, who formally filed on Wednesday, and Rep. Daryl Rouson, D-Tampa, in the contest that is more likely to be for minority leader.

The James Madison Institute (JMI), Florida's premier conservative think tank, has released a policy brief urging the state Legislature to adopt a "paycheck protection" bill --i.e., onethat would prohibit employee labor organizations from using employee dues for political contribution without those members' consent.

If the American Conservative Union is going to rank Jack Latvala more conservative than Joe Negron, it's lost credibility with me and I'll bet a lot of other Republicans.

The Republican Party of Florida has published an infographic illustrating Florida's positive employment trends under Rick Scott's administration: