House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, praised the Florida Senate for passing the State Universities of Academic and Research Excellence and National Pre-eminence Act that is designed to make the state university system more globally competitive.

The Florida Senate said goodbye to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, with a bipartisan tribute to his conservative beliefs that included the unveiling of his official portrait, which will be hung in the Senate gallery. With his wife, Stephanie, and children Alexis, Hayden and Reagan at his side, Haridopolos said after 12 years in the state Legislature, the last two as Senate president, he will miss being in the arena.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is looking for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November, tore into that Democrat incumbent on Thursday, trying to link him to President Barack Obama. Mack also urged Nelson to back the Keystone XL Pipeline project.

Gov. Rick Scott, who has stated opposition to increasing university tuition, has a bill headed to his desk that would allow Florida State University and the University of Florida to ask for more than the 15 percent cap now in place.

Former GOP presidential candidate and U.S. Senate leader Bob Dole endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination back in December. Dole resurfaced for the Romney campaign on Thursday as Romney heads into the Kansas caucus, which has 40 delegates at stake, on Saturday.

A bill that would allow high school athletes to transfer during the school year without having to sit out games is now before Gov. Rick Scott. Senators, in a narrow 21-18 vote, advanced the bill, SB 1403, to the governors desk for final approval on Thursday.

After winning primaries in Arizona and Missouri last month, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney tried to focus his fire on President Barack Obama. But with Rick Santorum winning three contests on Super Tuesday and almost winning the key state of Ohio, Romneys team is now firing away at that GOP rival as the race shifts to Kansas, Alabama and Mississippi. Romneys team came out swinging at Santorum on Thurday, attacking him for his record in Congress.

The Senate voted Thursday to send tougher legislation against human trafficking to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott for final approval. The bill, SB 1880, is a priority of Attorney General Pam Bondi. The bill -- approved last week by the House -- would increase penalties for trafficking to be consistent with federal human trafficking laws and give law enforcement agencies the ability to request warrants to "intercept oral and electronic communications" related to human trafficking investigations.

Where are Michelle Obama and the school lunch cops when you need them? The U.S. Department of Agriculture is purchasing 7 million pounds of "pink slime" for school meals. The ammonia-treated meat that has been rejected by McDonald's, Taco Bell and Burger King is apparently good enough for the feds to scarf up in gross quantities.

Gov. Rick Scott has announced he is reopening the call for applications to fill the pending vacancy of state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The new application deadline is March 8. Searching for a replacement, Scott had previously extended the deadline last month to replace Michael F. McAuliffe, who is resigning as state attorney for the circuit, which covers Palm Beach County.

A measure to allow future governors to name the majority of those who appoint judges upon taking office may not get called back up in the House. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, the sponsor of the House version of the bill, HB 971, says he wont bring the bill back to the floor because an amendment would eliminate the prospect of former Gov. Charlie Crists appointees facing immediate removal.

Increasing the isolation of the Florida Education Association and its Democratic Party handmaidens, two African-American leaders announced their support for Parent Trigger legislation this week. T. Willard Fair, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, said the reform measure would put power back in the hands of parents.

A bill to name the Schooner Western Union as Florida's state flagship has been cast toward the governors office. The House approved SB 326, which would give the designation to the 130-foot vintage, wooden, tall ship that was built in 1939 to service undersea telegraph cables. The ship, now located in Key West, is being turned into a museum.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns denied and denounced a fellow Republican's claim that he tried to "buy" him out of the race. James Jett, the clerk of courts for Clay County, is among the announced GOP opponents to Stearns, R-Ocala, who is running for re-election in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. Mr. Jetts claim is totally unfounded -- no one is authorized to make any claims or concessions on behalf of Representative Stearns,"Stearns' press secretary Paul Flusche said in a statement obtained by Sunshine State News.

Flags will be at half-staff at the Florida Capitol and outside the Broward County Courthouse and Hollywood City Hall on Thursday for former Secretary of State George Firestone. Gov. Rick Scott ordered the lowering of the flags from sunrise to sunset for Firestone, Floridas secretary of state from Jan. 2, 1979, to Aug. 5, 1987. Firestone died March 2. He was 80.