At the end of last week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla. cheered the news that congressional leaders from both chambers have reached an agreement over the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and said free trade would boost South Floridas economy.

Florida TaxWatch released a report on Monday which called for more investments in transportation to ensure the record number of tourists continue to flock to the Sunshine State. "Florida's tourism industry is a critical component of the state's diverse economy, but growing demand puts a strain on the state's transportation and tourism infrastructure, which could limit the future growth of this important industry," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.

The fight over Medicaid expansion left Tallahassee and hit the Florida airwaves at the end of last week. On Friday, fiscal conservative group Americans for Prosperitys (AFP) Florida chapter launched a TV ad, urging the Florida Senate to reject Medicaid expansion.

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government which oversees the IRS, showcased his tax fighting on Thursday as he voted for the State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015 and voted to end the estate tax. The State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015 would ensure a permanent deduction of local and state sales taxes would be included in federal taxes. Crenshaw insisted Florida taxpayers would benefit from it.

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., drew closer to announcing a bid for the U.S. Senate this week. On Thursday, Grayson appeared on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman and was asked about whether he would run for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. With Rubio launching a presidential bid earlier this week, he is not expected to run for a second term.

Even though most Americans have a great deal of respect for the teaching profession, the majority of them say they wouldn't want to get into the teaching field themselves, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll. Only 25 percent of American adults consider teaching a desirable profession to go into despite 67 percent of Americans saying being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in the country. Fifty-seven percent of Americans don't see teaching as an attractive profession, while 18 percent are undecided.

Gov. Rick Scott rose in politics by opposing President Barack Obamas federal health-care law and he continued his opposition to it on Thursday, announcing that he was going to sue to ensure the state received Low Income Pool (LIP) funds to Florida even as he and the Florida House continue to fight against Medicaid expansion.

On Thursday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced that North Central Florida residents can go to the Marion County tax collectors office to apply for a concealed weapon license. Marion County Tax Collector George Albright joined his counterparts in Lee, Pinellas, Highlands, Okaloosa, Indian River and Nassau counties in agreeing to let concealed weapons applications go from his office to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Before this, the nearest place to apply for a concealed weapons permit was in Jacksonville.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., called for tax reform on Wednesday, the last day Americans have to file their federal income tax returns. Our broken tax code cost Americans over $3 trillion and has more words than all of the Harry Potter books combined, Bush noted on Wednesday. It must be simpler, fairer, better for working Americans. Bush is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2016 election.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., a possible U.S. Senate candidate in 2016, called for tax cuts across the board during a national radio appearance on Tuesday. Buchanan, who sits on the House Ways and Means and the Budget committees, was on Kilmeade and Friends on Fox News Radio and called for lower taxes. We need to bring down everybodys rates, said Buchanan. The tax rate for small business is almost 50 percent. How much is enough? Its way too high, it hurts jobs and it hurts working families.

Florida TaxWatch showcased the important role cruises play in the Florida economy on Wednesday, releasing a report showing 9 million cruise passengers led to $7.3 billion in direct spending and more than 140,400 jobs in 2013. "Florida's prime location, blossoming tourism economy and established cruise industry are the envy of the world," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "As more passengers discover Florida's unique cruise options, Florida's tourism economy will continue to grow.

The National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) took aim at U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., as he continues his bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. On Monday, Rubio launched a presidential bid and is not expected to run for a second term in the Senate. The NRSC hit Murphy on costs associated with President Barack Obamas federal health-care law on Wednesday.

With Wednesday marking the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln, Gov. Rick Scott ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. President Barack Obama named Wednesday a Day of Remembrance for Lincoln.

Budget conferencing has begun on Capitol Hill and U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, tapped U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla,., the chairman of the U.S. House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, as part of the Houses negotiating team.

The Tea Party Express is the latest conservative group to call on U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. With Rubio announcing for the presidency on Monday, he is not expected to seek a second term. DeSantis said on Tuesday that he was exploring the possibility and several conservative groups quickly fell in line behind him.