With Wednesday designated as World AIDS Day, the Florida Department of Health stressed the importance of the federal HIV/AIDS strategy which looks to reduce the number of people infected with HIV and create greater access to health care for people with HIV

The Foundation for Excellence in Education, led by former Gov. Jeb Bush, announced on Tuesday the creation of Chiefs for Change -- a coalition of five state education leaders to push for reform. The announcement was made at the Excellence in Action National Summit on Education Reform in Washington. Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek of Louisiana was named the chair of Chiefs for Change, while Eric Smith, Floridas commissioner of education, was named the vice chair.

With Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez trying to sell CITGO, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, the ranking Republican on the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, unleashed a barrage of criticism on Tuesday morning. Hugo Chavez faces potential penalties for expropriating U.S. businesses, and more importantly, because Venezuela will likely be found in violation of U.S. sanctions on Iran, said Mack. Such actions rightfully jeopardize the success of a Venezuelan government-owned business on U.S. soil.

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, now hosting MSNBCs Morning Joe on weekday mornings, is taking aim at former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in a column at Politico.

Sarasota County Republican Chairman Joe Gruters announced on Tuesday his bid to head the Republican Party of Florida, with a goal of "building a permanent majority" for the state GOP. "The Republican Party had the foresight and the power to make a difference in the (2010) elections and we did. As Republicans, we won because we stood united and we promised to return to the basic principles and beliefs that made our country great," Gruters stated on his website.

Sen. Don Gaetz will be walking point on what will likely be the most politically charged issue facing the Legislature: reapportionment. The Niceville Republican will chair the Senate Reapportionment Committee. As if that weren't enough, Gaetz also will chair the Appropriations Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, Transportation and Economic Development. He is the only senator to chair two committees.

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey joined the chorus of critics on Monday ripping President Barack Obama's order to freeze federal salaries. "With 15 million Americans unemployed, and millions more underemployed, a freeze on federal employee salaries is not too much to ask. But we need a serious examination of federal agency spending, a list of the priorities for our nation and surgically cut out waste where its found, Posey, R-Cocoa, told Sunshine State News.

Gov. Charlie Crist and incoming Gov. Rick Scott will kick off Hanukkah on Monday night, lighting a menorah before the actual festival starts on Wednesday night. Crist and Scott will be joined by their wives and Rabbi Schneur Oirechman of the Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle-Tallahassee. I am always honored to join the Jewish community for a celebration that recognizes the perseverance of such a historically proud and strong group of people, said Crist. Hanukkah is a symbol of hope, and Carole and I are grateful for the chance to share in this celebration.

No offense to Sen. George LeMieux, but the Florida TEA Party wants him to leave -- now. The interim senator's term officially expires in January, but TEA Party Chairwoman Peg Dunmire says Florida would benefit if he took an early exit.

Incoming Gov. Rick Scott named two transition teams on Monday afternoon -- both of which focus on the states struggling economy. Scott named his Economic Development Transition Team, which will be led by Wayne Huizenga Jr. as chairman.

Never underestimate the ingenuity of the American businessperson. The folks over at Cargo Collective are apparently making T-shirts and underwear (for men and women) with the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution printed on them in metallic lettering, thus enabling the operators of the TSA full-body scanners to get acquainted with the law of the land that bans "unreasonable searches and seizures."

With Congress meeting in its lame-duck session, Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack weighed in on passing tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. Like a decaying house in need of a major overhaul, the federal government has become one big money pit with our tax dollars, said Mack on Monday. The federal government has failed to act responsibly with our money and we want it back.

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton wrote an article in Standpoint on President Barack Obama and the 2010 elections, attacking the president on international issues and raising questions regarding the staffing of the administration. While Bolton --whose name has been floated as a possible candidate for the Republican presidential nomination --focused on foreign policy, he did raise some interesting questions about the presidents economic team.

In a tweet posted shortly after noon, Sen. George LeMieux commended President Barack Obama's decision to put a two-year freeze on federal civilian employee pay. But he then quickly went on to call for more action to trim the nation's bloated budget. From his tweet: "Pay freeze for federal employees good start. Now, adopt hiring freeze and cut all federal agencies by 10 percent. Half measures not enough!"

Chipping $2 billion off the $1.3 trillion federal deficit, President Barack Obama on Monday ordered an immediate two-year pay freeze on federal civilian salaries. Blaming "the irresponsibility of the past decade," Obama said the cost-cutting measure was needed because "families and business are still hurting." The administration calculated that the two-year pay freeze -- which does not include military personnel -- will save $2 billion for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, $28 billion over the next five years, and more than $60 billion over the next 10 years.