The Florida Republican straw poll set for Sept. 24 in Orlando took another hit Tuesday when U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said she would not participate in future straw polls. Coming off a win in the Iowa straw poll Saturday, the Minnesota congresswoman said through a spokesman that she would concentrate on caucuses and primaries -- not straw ballots. A Florida Republican Party official called the decision "disappointing," but told Sunshine State News that the matter may still be up for debate. Previously, Mitt Romney opted to skip all straw polls.

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania surprised more than a few pundits by placing fourth in the Iowa straw poll in Ames on Saturday. He is trumpeting his showing in a new web ad complete with a series of quotes looking to bolster his candidacy. Santorum is an underdog in the race but, as the debate on Thursday showed, he could be a factor in the race, especially as he has shown no reluctance to go after the other Republican candidates on social issues and foreign policy.

The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling Tuesday outlawing an executive order issued by Gov. Rick Scott halting all new rules and mandating executive approval before implementation. Scott wanted to decrease the amount of new and existing rules and regulations promulgated by state agencies, saying they impede job creation. But the Supreme Court ruled his executive order encroached upon the legislative branch and the authority of the Legislature to enact policy and direct rule-making procedures. Scott disagreed with the decision.

Florida tourism is on a roll. According to figures released Tuesday by Visit Florida, 21.2 million travelers came to the Sunshine State in the second quarter -- up 6.9 percent from the same period in 2010. Preliminary estimates show a 5.3 percent increase in domestic visitors, a 17.3 percent increase from overseas market and an 18.4 percent increase in travel from Canada. And there was good news on the job front as well, Floridas tourism-related employment hit 1,029,600, up by 39,400 jobs, or 4 percent from a year ago.

According to Stephen Hayes at the Weekly Standard, a new name could be entering the already crowded Republican presidential primaries -- U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the chief architect of the GOPs federal budget proposal earlier in the year. Hayes reports that Ryan is seriously considering entering the contest.

Fresh from his strong second-place finish in the Iowa straw poll on Saturday, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas launched a new television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire on Monday. While hitting his usual themes in the ad, Paul has a new one. In the ad, the narrator insists that Paul is the one candidate in the Republican pack who can beat President Barack Obama in 2012.

Last month, the Florida Family Association (FFA) sent out messages of protest to companies running ads during Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family. The FFA argued that the show, which is aimed for teenagers, promotes lesbianism. Apparently, the FFAs campaign is starting to show signs of success. On Monday, David Caton, the executive director of the FFA, released an e-mail that was sent to him by Margaret Kelly, the CEO of realty giant RE/MAX.

Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, now running in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen Bill Nelson in 2012, unveiled the endorsements of two state senators who were part of the House leadership with him -- Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, and Anitere Flores, R-Miami.

Even though he is no longer in the U.S. Senate race, state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, dispensed advice to the field of candidates looking to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. FL GOP can win US Senate race if we become the party of better ideas and follow the RRs 11th commandment, Haridopolos posted on Twitter on Monday.

Gov. Rick Scott insisted on Monday that the state government was winning the war against pill mills, noting that there were almost 940 arrests since he set up a strike force in March. So far, the state has arrested 17 doctors, taken more than 252,000 pills and confiscated almost $1.7 million in assets.

Dave Bitner, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, sent his counterpart, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith, a letter Monday taking him to task for his apparent "hypocrisy" surrounding his stance on the redistricting process. Specifically, the letter notes Smith's current criticism of the existing legislative and congressional districts, but voted for them in committee as a member of the Legislature in 2002.

Attorney General Pam Bondi took to Fox this morning to push for the lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act to be forwarded to the Supreme Court "as fast as possible." The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals announced a decision Friday declaring the individual mandate portion of the law, commonly known as Obamacare, unconstitutional, but left the remainder of the law in place. Here's what she said about the decision: On President Obamas health care law and what the ruling tells us:

A new Miami-based website, boasting of the opportunity for loan seekers to post information about themselves and their projects, announced its launch Monday.

Two of the hottest Republican properties -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann -- are expected to compete in the Florida straw poll Sept. 24, GOP officials say. Though neither has yet confirmedattendance, spokesman Brian Hughes said the party expects to receive RSVPs from both, perhaps this week. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, who finished a close second to Bachmann in the Iowa straw poll, has already confirmed. Presidency 5 opens with a Fox News debate on Sept. 22 in Orlando.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and he is already getting the support of one of Floridas leading GOP families -- both incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and his son Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, endorsed him. Governor Perry knows the recipe for job creation and enhanced opportunity, said Matt Gaetz. For a decade he has led Texas to responsibly streamline government and attract new businesses. Nearly half of the jobs created in America in the last 18 months were created in Texas. Thats a record to run on.