Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, expects to spend some time over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend -- between the turkey and the UF-FSU football game -- assigning committee chairmanships and appointments. He said he hopes to fulfill as many requests for committee preference appointments from individual senators as possible. I think people work harder and work better if they're doing what they want to do, not just what someone else wants them to do, Gaetz told reporters during a breakfast meeting in the Capitol on Tuesday.

Well, he didn't mention the Sunshine State specifically, but ... "Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday that secession was a 'deeply American principle,' amid a growing number of people petitioning the White House to let their states secede from the U.S.

When asked to comment on a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau that says Florida is the third poorest state in the nation, Gov. Rick Scott's office directed Sunshine State News to the Department of Economic Opportunity. The DEO's deputy chief communications officer, James Miller, did not comment on the SPM specifically, but said "Floridas economy is moving in the right direction as the states unemployment rate declines each month and more Floridians find jobs."

Gov. Scott released the following statement in response to recent congressional resolutions expressing Americas unwavering commitment to Israels security: I commend Floridas congressional delegation for supporting House Resolution 813 and Senate Resolution 599. These important resolutions reiterate Americas unwavering support for Israel during this difficult time. When I visited Israel last year, I learned firsthand of Hamas relentless campaign of terror against Israels southern cities.

Escalating Mideast violence could put the brakes on the falling gas prices across Florida. AAA reports that violence could disrupt oil supplies from the Middle East and could easily offset the decrease in demand in some of the worlds largest oil-consuming nations. "Whenever violence escalates in the Middle East, as it has with Israel and its surrounding countries, oil prices are sure to increase," Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, stated in a release

Florida will again share in a nationwide settlement with drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, this time over allegations the pharmaceutical company unlawfully promoted a diabetes drug, by misrepresenting its cardiovascular risks and safety profile, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondis office joined 37 other states in the $90 million settlement over the marketing of Avandia. Floridas share was not immediately available.

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Jose Tony A. Giraud to the Santa Rosa County Court. Giraud, 46, of Pensacola, has served as an assistant state attorney in Pensacola since 1998. Tonys years of service with the office of the state attorney in Pensacola demonstrate that he is dedicated to helping Florida families, Scott stated in a release. I am confident that Tony will make a great addition to the bench and will serve Santa Rosa County with the fairness and integrity that he has displayed his entire career.

South Florida Congressional Democrats say its time for U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, to concede as St. Lucie County Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn has rejected West's request to have all early votes rerun through tabulating machines.

On Thursday, Sunshine State News reported on tea party favorite Sen. Marco Rubio's proposal to reform U.S. immigration policy incrementally, beginning with legalizing undocumented youth who immigrated when they were children. The Daily Caller has since released what it says is a proposal circulating among Republican legislators, which appears to be a draft on the legislation Rubio's press secretary Alex Conant told the News is in the works:

House floor sessions will start at 8 a.m. during the 2013 session, up an hour from the previous session, according to a list of rule changes released Friday from the speakers office. Other changes: Removal of the revolving bill slot incentive for repealer bills. Repealer bills remain an exemption to a members bill limit. Conforming of conference procedures to Florida House practice of requiring signatures on reports. Requirement that complaints contain the complainants name and legal address.

As a state inspection team is conducting a three-day audit of the results of the Congressional District 18 contest, the Florida Democratic Congressional Delegation claims Gov. Rick Scott is interfering in the disputed results.

Hours before a court hearing on the request by attorneys for U.S. Rep. Allen Wests campaign to recount all ballots cast prior to Election Day in the narrow Congressional District 18 contest, the Florida Democratic Party is questioning the Republicans legal claims.

Enterprise Florida, the public-private business arm of the state, has announced several staff changes. Business Development Matt Lowell has been promoted to Business Development director. He joined Enterprise Florida in February 2011 as a Business Development manager. Government Relations Mike Preston has been promoted to vice president, Government Relations. Preston joined Enterprise Florida in November 2008. Military and Defense Support

Unemployment in Florida fell to 8.5 percent in October, the lowest mark the Sunshine State has seen since December 2008, and down from 8.7 percent a month earlier. The new numbers, released Friday, estimate that the state added 12,100 new private-sector jobs in October. In October, 12,100 more Floridians found employment in the private sector and the incomes that allow them to provide for their families, particularly with the holidays approaching, Gov. Rick Scott stated in a release.