Thrown out of office after one term, Ohio Democratic Rep. Steve Driehaus is suing over his "loss of livelihood." Charging that the Susan B. Anthony List contributed to his defeat, the ex-congressman complained that the conservative group called out allegedly anti-abortion-rights lawmakers -- including Driehaus -- who provided the margin that allowed passage of Obamacare. Driehaus claims that the Susan B. Anthony List's public communications amounted to a malicious lie, and U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Black is moving the case forward.

Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah fired away on Tuesday on the tax plan unveiled by Republican presidential primary rival Gov. Rick Perry of Texas earlier in the day. "Unlike my plan to clean out the tax code entirely, Governor Perry takes the easy way out by leaving in place a broken system, said Huntsman in a statement. Because his plan is optional it will maintain our outdated system of deductions and credits.I have offered a pro-growth plan that will actually reform our tax code for the 21st century by eliminating loopholes, deductions, and corporate welfare entirely."

Rick Perry's "Cut, Balance and Grow" economic plan positions him as the "anti"-Mitt Romney in Florida, a Republican strategist said. "The Perry plan will play very well among Florida GOP primary voters and certainly sets him up as the anti-Romney here in Florida," said Doug Guetzloe. Noting that Perry's tax proposal allows Americans a choice, while allaying concerns that he might shut down Social Security, the Orlando-based consultant said the Texas governor's plan was assuring to Floridians dependent on the federal program.

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry on Tuesday unveiled his "Cut, Balance and Grow" economic plan. Blending Herman Cain's flat tax features with some of Michele Bachmann's repatriation program, the Texas governor proposes a 20 percent flat tax, which he would make optional and calls for a balanced budget by 2020. See full story here.

A tea party straw poll in South Florida shows GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain widening his lead. The Georgia businessman won 53 percent of the 331 ballots cast in the Tea Party Fort Lauderdale poll conducted Oct. 13-21. Newt Gingrich was a distant second with 13.5 percent and Mitt Romney placed third with 9.5 percent. Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry were tied at 6.5 percent and Rick Santorum garnered 5 percent. Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman scored less than 5 percent.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, has proposed HR 3087, Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act of 2011, that offers tax savings for construction on racetracks. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is a co-sponsor of the Senate version, S 1174, which was filed in Juneby Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan.

On Monday, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts unveiled the organization that he hopes will lead him to victory in the Florida Republican presidential primary on Jan. 31. Romney, who placed second in the 2008 presidential primary, announced that three Florida Republican congressmen -- Ander Crenshaw, Connie Mack and Tom Rooney -- would co-chair his efforts in the Sunshine State. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who endorsed Romney earlier in the month, will serve as the state chairman while Florida CFO Jeff Atwater will be the state finance chairman.

Businessman Herman Cain leads the pack of Republican presidential candidates in a national New York Times/CBS News poll released on Tuesday morning. Cain takes 25 percent while former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts places second with 21 percent. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich takes 10 percent with U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas in fourth place at 8 percent. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas stands in fifth with 6 percent. The other candidates take 2 percent or less.

Texas governor and GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry will unveil his economic plan Tuesday. The plan, which includes a flat tax proposal, is scheduled to be released in the morning. Sunshine State News gets an advance look, and will share it in an upcoming story.

A Massachusetts man who sent a threatening emailto a state representative leading last sessions immigration reform effort will spend a year in jail. Manuel Pintado, whose email to Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, was sent an hour after a gunman in Arizona killed six and wounded 13, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, received the sentence on Monday for violating his probation, according to TCPalm.com.

State Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, praised a court ruling blocking Florida's welfare drug-testing program. Applauding the ACLU of Florida "for pursuing what many consider an unjust attack on lower-income people and a very vulnerable population in Florida," Stafford said, "the vigorous attempts to squash the legislation that mandated this testing are supported by today's court order." Stafford is sponsoring House Bill 4065 for the 2012 legislative session to permanently repeal the requirement.

Gov. Rick Scott announced a joint venture Monday between Palm Beach and Brazilian entrepreneurs Luis Claudio Goldner and Alfredo Sampaio Caruso that involves a capital investment of $25 million, the lease of a 45,000-square-foot facility at the Port of Palm Beach and a plan to launch Americas Natural Caffeine LLC. The project is expected to produce a total of 75 jobs paying an average $62,000 a year, with 25 jobs in year No. 1, then ramping up to the full 75 jobs by year No. 3.The state will not provide any incentive package.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas brought in more than $2.75 million in a money bomb launched on Wednesday and ended on Monday for his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. More than 44,500 Paul supporters gave to the Texas congressman and, most impressively, almost 40,500 were unique donors. The average donation was just under $62.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty intends to approve a requested 8.9 percent rate increase by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, the Office of Insurance Regulation announced Monday. However, the office noted that NCCIs entire request was not approved and McCarty expressed concerns about potentially higher compensation costs associated with allowing doctors' offices to dispense medications instead of requiring a patient to go to a pharmacy.

With the WWEs WrestleMania XXVIII taking place in Miami on April 1, South Florida leaders should take note of a study released by the Enigma Research Corp. on Monday. The study found that WrestleMania XXVII, which was held in Atlanta on April 3, brought more than $62 million into the city -- a $17 million increase from WrestleMania XXVIs impact on Arizona back in 2010.