Following early news that a requirement for a federal balanced budget amendment has been included in the House of Representatives federal debt reduction proposal, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and House Speaker Dean Cannon released the following statements: Governor Scott:

A St. Augustine physician was named the new president of the Florida Medical Association on Saturday. Miguel A. Machado was installed as the 135th president of the influential group during the FMAs annual meeting and medical expo in Orlando. With more than 20,000 members, the FMA is an active contributor to political campaigns and an influential force in Tallahassee, where it successfully lobbied the 2011 Legislature for tort reform and higher Medicaid reimbursement rates.

U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Tallahassee, says he voted against House Speaker John Boehner's plan to trim spending and raise the debt ceiling because it "did not offer solutions that rise to the level of our historic economic challenges." Southerland, a first-term congressman who defeated Democrat Allen Boyd last year, said in a statement late Friday:

Today's Sunshine State News report on skyrocketing insurance rates hit home with the Consumer Federation's Walter Dartland, who cited fraud as a prime cost driver. "One way of emphasizing the cost of fraud is to cite the average cost of PIP [Personal Insurance Protection for autos] is $850 for just $10,000 of coverage. It is even higher in Miami, about $1,000 plus," he reported.

The Florida Democratic Party announced Friday that "main spokesman" Erik Jotkoff is leaving to "move on to the next opportunity." Jotkoff, who has been an FDP mouthpiece for three years, did not specify his next destination. The statement, quoting Jotkoff, said only that he would be "taking some time off to relax and recharge before announcing my future plans." Praised by his friends in the mainstream media, Jotkoff took a different tack when dealing with Sunshine State News. The "spokesman" has steadfastly refused to speak to SSN on the record.

"This week, I marked the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating the Governors Commission on Jobs for Persons with Disabilities. During the economic downturn, workers with disabilities lost jobs at a rate 9 percent higher than workers without disabilities.

The conservative Susan B. Anthony List is questioning Texas Gov. Rick Perry's stand on abortion, saying his commitment to states' rights ignores a responsibility to protect the unborn. Perry was quoted as telling reporters in Houston this week, You either have to believe in the 10th Amendment or you dont, explaining his belief that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, the legality of abortion would be decided at the state level. On other occasions, Perry has referred to Roe. v. Wade as a case of judicial activism.

Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Friday setting up a special election for state Senate District 1, the seat held by Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, until he resigned recently to take a position in the administration of new Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. The primary will be held on Sept. 20, with the general election taking place Oct. 18. The district includes parts of Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia counties.

Several of the provisions of Florida's new law designed to shore up the state's unemployment compensation fund take effect Monday, including the mandatory Internet filing of claims, instead of in-person or over the phone.

The Republican senator widely credited with stirring up the tea party movement says he won't run for re-election. Elected to a second term last year, Jim DeMint of South Carolina told the National Journal this week: "It was not a campaign promise; but that is my plan, that the election last year was my last one. It has always been my plan not to serve more than two terms." His departure, along with U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's decision not to run for re-election next year, means Congress will lose two of its most staunchly conservative voices.

Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick called out homosexual activists for their threatened boycott over U.S. Rep. Allen West's scheduled appearance at a local business association Monday. "Calling for an economic boycott of our business community because you do not happen to agree with [the Wilton Manors Business Association president's] invitation to Congressman West is?not only counterproductive, but is irresponsible," Resnick said. Resnick, who is a member of a local gay caucus, said he was "taken aback that such an action would even be suggested.

The Republican Party of Floridas Presidency 5 Facebook fan page has reached more than 30,000 fans. Now comes the P5 sweepstakes. The RPOF is staging an online contest where winning participants will receive two tickets to the Fox News presidential debate, a two-night hotel stay and two delegate passes to the P5 straw poll. The events are scheduled for Sept. 22-24 in Orlando. For instructions, click here.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who is leading the tea party revolt against House Speaker John Boehner's debt-ceiling plan, is having his district threatened for going against the party leader, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Libertarian-leaning groups want to deputize Florida sheriffs in a fight against the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. The groups will rally on Sunday outside the Florida Sheriffs Association convention in Daytona Beach. In a July 4 letter to all 67 of Florida's sheriffs, Florida Libertarian Party Chairman Adrian Wyllie wrote, "We turn to you as our last line of defense against a federal government that is usurping authority and ignoring the rule of law.If you have TSA agents within your county that are violating the law, then you must act."

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott named Doug Darling to head up the newly formed Department of Economic Opportunity. He also named Cynthia Lorenzo, who had been interim director, to head up the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Mike Hansen was named to lead the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.