Two new polls from Viewpoint Florida, a public opinion polling firm, show that Sunshine State citizens aren't shying away from the idea of nuclear power, despite ominous news from Japan, and are eager to see reforms to state worker pensions.

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced the appointment of Anthony Tony Tatti, 49, of Ocala to the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court. Tatti will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Stephen O. Rushing.

National Democrats have made freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West one of their top targets, but a new poll shows West with a 15-point lead over a top Democratic challenger.

Politico.com's David Catanese reported Friday that Connie Mack kept even his closest allies guessing on the will-he-run question -- and guessing wrongly. Even Mack's home county Lee County chairman Gary Lee called just before Mack's announcement to tell Politico, "It's a go. All signs have indicated a green light ... the same place as his Dad announced for the Senate."

Florida's unemployment rate fell 0.4 percent in February, down to 11.5 percent, and while Gov. Rick Scott is encouraged by the dip, he was cautious not to take credit for the figure so early into his term in office. He did note that Florida has all the ingredients for a more precipitous drop in the unemployment numbers.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation announced on Friday that the unemployment rate dropped in Florida in February to 11.5 percent. The rate had stood at 11.9 percent in January. This is the biggest drop in the unemployment rate in the state since May 2007.

On Friday, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack took a pass at running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Bill Nelson. All signs were that Mack, who was doing well in the polls, would enter the race and run for the seat that his father held for two terms. Mack insisted that he could do more in the U.S. House where he chairs the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

Within minutes of the Census Bureau confirming the sharp decade-long rise in America's Hispanic population, media outlets renewed their story line about the growing influence of Latino voters. In Florida, Democrats were declared the immediate beneficiaries because, as pundits inform us, Hispanics just vote that way. Hmmmm. Anyone remember Marco Rubio and a host of GOP legislators with Hispanic surnames?

In the latest knockdown of the diminishing legacy of former Gov. Charlie Crist, the House and Senate voted Thursday to override one of his vetoes, passing a bill that allows legislative leaders to control campaign funds. "Governor Crist vetoed some things he shouldnt have vetoed," Sen. Don Gaetz said before the override vote in the Senate.

Roll Call is reporting that U.S. Rep. Connie Mack will enter what could be a crowded Republican primary against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Look for Mack to make an announcement on Friday morning. Mack's father held the seat for two terms before retiring in 2000 when Nelson ran.

Bob Buckhorn easily won the Tampa mayoral election this week, and he hasn't lost his easygoing sense of humor ... yet. "I'm barely the mayor of my own house," the Democrat told Sunshine State News on Thursday -- eight days before he formally takes office. "I feel like I've been drinking water of out a fire hydrant. It's all somewhat intimidating."

The Medicaid reform bills backed by the leadership in the Legislature cleared the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, praised Gov. Rick Scott for signing Senate Bill 736, the merit pay bill that ties teacher pay to performance and student test scores. He also singled out Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, for plaudits for bringing the bill forward and helping to pass it. Governor Scotts signature on the Student Success Act sets Florida on its course to reward teachers while working toward providing the best education for students to succeed in the classroom and on the global playing field.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West took his seat in Congress two months ago -- and he already is the subject of a presidential draft movement.

Senators looking to relax the class-size caps on Florida classrooms said they were unconcerned with the threat of a lawsuit brought by teachers' unions over the issue. "Idon't worry about getting sued if I know I've done the right thing. I don't make my decisions based upon whether somebody threatens to sue. I really don't think there'll be a lawsuit," said Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, who chairs the Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Appropriations Subcommittee.