During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that according to preliminary estimates released by VISIT FLORIDA, visitors to the state spent a record $71.8 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2011. This represents a record year of spending in 2012 by tourists in Florida, exceeding the previous highs of $67.2 billion in 2011 and $65.5 billion in 2007.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has announced legislation that would enable parents to protect their children from the growing crime of identity theft.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that one of her top priorities for the 2013 legislative session is a bill that will enhance the state's False Claims Act and better protect taxpayers from false or fraudulent claims seeking money from the government.

Former U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., long known for his zealous rhetoric againstVenezuelanPresident Hugo Chavez, has issued the following statement following news of the Latin American dictator's passing:

This Consumer Protection Week, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is encouraging Floridas consumers to know their rights under Floridas motor vehicle Lemon Law. The law protects consumers by covering defects or conditions that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of a new or demonstrator vehicle.

Floridians who buy a new or demonstrator vehicle shouldnt be stuck with a lemon, and Florida law provides significant protection against these situations, Bondi stated in a press release.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Florida has moved up two slots, to No. 4, nationwide for percentage of high school graduates in 2012 who had passed at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course during their four years of study.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that her office has entered a multimillion-dollar settlement with CCH Inc., a law book publisher, over allegations of automatic subscription renewals, a practice referred to as a negative option plan, without adequate disclosures. CCH will mail approximately 5,000 consumers refund notices and provide a total refund amount up to $5 million to the consumers. The attorney generals office will receive $1.4 million for investigative costs, attorney fees and future enforcement efforts.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is welcoming today's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court inFlorida v. Clayton Harris, which ruled that a police dog's sniff constituted probable cause for Liberty County K-9 Officer William Wheetley to search one Claytons Harris vehicle for illegal drugs.

This morning, we reportedon some of the issues the state's social conservatives are keeping their eye on as the 2013 session approaches. Also this morning, a bill that these same conservatives are keeping a supportive eye on has been approved by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, its final stop before heading to the full Senate floor for an up or down vote.

The Daily Caller reports that the president of Brevard Community College is recommending that the school's board of trustees fireSharon Sweet, a tenured associate professor of mathematics, forelectioneering, harassment, and incompetence, after she pressured her students to sign oaths pledging their electoral support to President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.