A poll released on Tuesday finds that Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will face a stiff challenge to win a third term in November. The poll of likely Florida voters from Rasmussen Reports shows that Nelson, who has been on the public stage for four decades, fails to break 50 percent against any of the three leading Republican candidates and is tied with U.S. Rep. Connie Mack whose father held the seat for two terms before Nelson.

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Richard Hersch, of Miami, to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. As a lifelong resident of Miami with 30 years of experience in courtrooms, Richards continued study of the law and extensive work ethic are evidence of his ability to serve on the bench of the circuit court, Scott stated in a release. I am confident of his ability to deliver reasoned and impartial rulings based upon evidence and a careful review of the law. According to a release Monday from the governor's office:

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Stanley M. Weston to the Commission on Ethics. According to a release Monday from the governor's office: "Weston, 51, of Jacksonville, has been a partner at Moseley Prichard Parrish Knight and Jones since 1994. "Previously, he was an assistant general counsel for the city of Jacksonville from 1985 to 1993. "He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.

The House Education Committee, voting along party lines with Republicans in favor, on Monday supported a bill, HB 317, which would allow students -- without guidance from school district employees -- to deliver undefined inspirational messages at public school events. The bill next will go before the full House. The Senate approved a similar version of the bill with a 31-8 vote two weeks ago.

The Florida House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee approved Monday a slimmed down bill dictating how federal public assistance debit cards issued through the state can be used. The bill, HB 1401, as proposed, continues to ban the use of the debit cards issued through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), including the program better known as food stamps, from being used at ATMs located in strip clubs, Internet cafes, liquor stores and bottle clubs.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio joined other prominent Florida Republicans in hammering the proposed budget unveiled by President Barack Obama on Monday.

Here's a shocker. According to a report in the Washington Post, the Obama budgeteers will bequeath us a national debt $1 trillion higher than originally forecast over 10 years. Now, here's what's funny: That there ever was a "forecast" in the first place.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw had harsh words for the fiscal year 2013 budget proposed by President Barack Obama which would delay adding a nuclear aircraft carrier to Mayport on the First Coast. Mayport was expected to serve as the homeport for a carrier in 2019 -- but this may change according to the proposed budget.

U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, and Allen West, R-Plantation, posted quick criticisms of President Barack Obamas proposed $3.8 trillion budget that was released Monday. Rooney issued the following statement:

Martin County Sheriff Robert Crowder, who is not seeking re-election after two decades in office, is considering a run for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, and that is being eyed by U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation. The Stuart News is reporting that Crowder, a Republican who has ruffled the local GOP's feathers in the past, is considering a run for the higher office.

As expected on Monday, at a media event in Hialeah, Republican Senate hopeful U.S. Rep. Connie Mack unveiled the support of three of his congressional colleagues -- Mario Diaz-Balart, David Rivera and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -- and former U.S.Rep.Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee has backed a proposal that would authorize a land-management agency to enter a public-private partnership to explore for oil or natural gas on state-owned lands. The committee supported SB 1158, by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, that would also allow the private company to drill if the yield can produce near-term revenue for the state.

We are simply spending too much, for too little in return, Brad Swanson, vice president of corporate and strategic partnerships for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, stated in an opinion piece in the Tampa Times.

Going to a backup defense in their ongoing tussle with the IRS, the Miccosukee Indians are blaming the tribe's former attorney for "faulty advice." In court filings, tribal members admitted for the first time that they owe the federal government $25.8 million back taxes and penalties from their South Florida casino profits. The admission surfaced in the Miccosukees' malpractice lawsuit against former counsel Dexter Lehtinen. Tribal members allege that Lehtinen advised them they owed no personal income tax on gambling proceeds.

Mitt Romney carried Michigan by 9 percent over John McCain in the 2008 Republican primary -- but a poll unveiled on Monday finds that Romney could lose the 2012 primary on Feb. 28 to Rick Santorum. Santorum leads in Michigan, the state where Romneys father served as governor, according to a poll by American Research Group. The poll has Santorum out front with 33 percent followed by Romney with 27 percent, Newt Gingrich with 21 percent and Ron Paul with 12 percent. Six percent remain undecided and 1 percent back other candidates.