Former State Rep. Chris Dorworth, who was in line to become House speaker, has joined the government affairs firm Ballard Partners. Dorworth, who was narrowly upset by Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Lake Mary, in the general election, will run the Tallahassee-based firms Orlando office.

Seven of the 28 schools in the Florida College System have accepted the governors challenge of creating four-year degree programs that cost under $10,000. Valencia College, Santa Fe College, College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Seminole State College of Florida and Broward College joined St. Petersburg College which earlier on Monday agreed to take on the task, according to a release from the governors office.

Former state legislator Carey L. Baker, already elected to the post, has been appointed Lake County property appraiser by Gov. Rick Scott. Baker will complete the term of Ed Havill, who died shortly after being defeated in the August election. Baker was set to take office Jan. 8, 2013.Havill had served as property appraiser for 36 years. Baker, 49, of Eustis, is currently serving as a first sergeant in the Army National Guard.

LifeSiteNews has the scoop on yet another Obamacare challenge making its way through the federal courts: "The Supreme Court has ordered the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear a lawsuit against the HHS mandate, setting up a legal test of the most controversial provision of the Obama administrations health care reform law before the High Court as early as next year. "'Todays ruling breathes new life into our challenge to ObamaCare,' said Mat Staver, the dean of Liberty University Law School, who filed the case.

Some of Floridas most influential business lobbying groups are firmly in support of Gov. Rick Scotts proposal to lower the cost of higher education in the Florida College System. Scott on Monday challenged administrators in the system to bring the cost of a four-year degree under $10,000. Tom Feeney, CEO and president of Associated Industries of Florida:

Headed by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, a bipartisan collection of South Florida leaders gathered Sunday night in North Miami Beach to rally support for Israel.

Politico reports that one of the sons of popular former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is one of the Lone Star State's ... er ... rising new stars: "The state of Texas may get another George Bush on the ballot. "George Prescott Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and the nephew of former Texas governor and ex-President George W. Bush, has filed preliminary paperwork to run for office in the Lone Star State in 2014. That leaves the new Bush poised to become a key face in the next generation of Republican politicians. ...

State Reps. Mike Fasano, Richard Corcoran, and Sen. John Legg, Republicans from New Port Richey, will host the annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway Dec. 14 at Redeemer Community Church located at 9230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. We are once again blessed to work with farmers throughout Florida to provide food at this special time of the year, Fasano stated in a release. When so many Floridians are hurting it is wonderful to see our community come together to serve others.

Gov. Rick Scott will continue his focus on holding the line on tuition increases and pumping up degree programs that are more in line with growing jobs fields when he appears at two colleges later today to make what his office says will be announcements on higher education. When you junior college or college, you went there to get a better job and make more money, Scott said while appearing on WFLA 970 in Tampa on Monday.

Gov. Rick Scott will return to St. Matthews House in East Naples on Thursday to help prepare the annual Thanksgiving dinner.Officials at the homeless shelter estimate they feed nearly 7,000 people during the Thanksgiving holiday through a turkey and grocery give-away and a sit-down dinner on Thursday afternoon. Scott and first lady Ann Scott helped serve Thanksgiving dinners last year at the shelter.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statement responding to Sunshine State News' story this morning on secret email accounts and a researcher's lawsuit alleging noncompliance with the Freedom of Information Act:

Don't take out the funeral pals forTwinkies, Ding Dongs, and Ho Hos quite yet. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports a small companyheadquarteredin the Sunshine State might be coming to the rescue: "A local investment company said Monday it plans to make a multimillion bid for the Hostess bakery line, which includes iconic brands such as Wonder Bread and Twinkies snack food. "But Hurst Capital LLLP acknowledges that winning what is likely to be a bidding war in federal bankruptcy court will be an uphill climb.

Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was able to shed the designated tag from his title as he was elected House speaker for the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions on Tuesday. House members voted unanimously.

Support continue to come in for Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Currys effort to remain in his job as the party ramps up for the 2014 elections. A day after Gov. Rick Scott offered his endorsement for Curry to retain the chairmanship, the members of the Florida Cabinet -- Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam -- backed Curry in his bid for another term. Pam Bondi

Florida senators unanimously selected Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, as president. The oath of office was administered, from memory, by his son Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach.