Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Gov. Rick Scott's office in the Capitol to protest proposed cuts in unemployment benefits and state-worker pensions. Most were clad in pink, chanting "Pink Slip Rick!"

Natalia Jaramillo, an organizer with Florida New Majority, a coalition of progressive groups which helped gather the protesters, said that while the anger of unemployed workers is largely directed at Scott, bills that hamper unemployed benefits in both chambers are the source of true anxiety.

On Thursday afternoon, the House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, deregulating 20 industries. Hukill maintained that the measure would help more than 103,000 Floridians in those businesses. The bill passed 77-38 on a vote that is close to party lines.

Unnecessary government regulations hurt businesses and cost consumers money, said Hukill. This bill will retire a host of many unnecessary regulations.

The House passed two measures sponsored by Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, and backed by Gov. Rick Scott that would roll six established trust funds with more than $425 million into the State Economic Enhancement and Development Fund (SEED) which would be in the governors Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. The measure passed 81-38 on a vote that mirrored party lines.

This SEED fund combines six trust funds, said Aubuchon, who insisted it would help the economy.

The Florida Senate has passed its version of the budget in a 33-6 vote, with half of the Democratic caucus voting against it. The budget comes in at $69.8 billion.

Democratic opposition centered on cuts to health care, public-worker pensions and the search for other sources of revenue to fund them. Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, said money could be found to mitigate the cuts by closing tax loopholes.

David Caton from the Florida Family Association (FFA) announced on Thursday that his organization has raised more money and will rent airplanes with banners to warn families about Gay Day at Disney 10 hours per day on both Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4. For more on the event and the protest read here.

A new poll from Quinnipiac University released on Thursday revealed that President Barack Obama, who carried Florida in 2008, will face a tough time carrying the Sunshine State in 2012 as Floridians continue to sour on his performance in office.

While he has formed an exploratory committee, former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner has not formally announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate seatcurrently held by Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. But that has not stopped Hasners team from ripping into a Republican rival -- former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux who announced his bid earlier in the week.

Hasners team sent out an e-mail to supporters late Wednesday attacking LeMieux.

President Barack Obama announced that he would meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday as the two nations have reached a free-trade agreement.

Florida's court system will remain up and running for the next two months as Gov. Rick Scott stepped in Wednesday to loan the courts $19.5 million.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady wrote Scott last month asking for funds to make up for the court system's $50 million deficit for the current fiscal year. Scott issued a $14 million loan at the time, and asked for more information before issuing additional funds. Courts throughout the state were contemplating furloughing workers and closing down during work days, delaying cases.

Florida TaxWatch and the Collins Center teamed up to unveil a new report on Wednesday that maintains that prison construction is putting the Sunshine State residents in debt.

The study, which is entitled A Billion Dollars and Growing: Why Prison Bonding Is Tougher on Floridas Taxpayers than on Crime, argues that lease revenue bonds, which are used to fund the building of new prisons, have hurt the state.