In a largely partisan vote, Medicaid reforms would eliminate funds for Florida's "medically needy" program, which provides care for people who would otherwise not qualify for Medicaid but whose medical needs create a significant financial strain.

Two Republicans -- Sens. Thad Altman of Melbourne and Mike Fasano of New Port Richey -- joined five Democrats in voting against the measure, as it passed the Senate Budget Committee. Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando was the only Democrat to vote for the Medicaid savings.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee unveiled an ad pushing for President Barack Obamas re-election bid in an April Fools Day prank. The ad takes aim at the president on a number of different fronts, ending with him riding on a unicorn over a rainbow.

Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubios call for the removal of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday led to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids, D-Nev., office to reject the suggestion on Thursday,

The Senate Budget Committee moved along its version of the budget, all of $69.8 billion in spending. The Senate budget proposal is $3.3 billion more than the House version, mainly because it includes the clerks of court and incorporates the water management districts in its budget, which the House swept.

The vote came down 16-4, with two Democrats -- Bill Montford of Tallahassee and Gary Siplin of Orlando -- joining the Republicans on the committee in moving the budget along.

The Florida House passed a Medicaid reform bill -- HB 7107 -- on Thursday after a debate that extended more than two hours. The measure passed on an 80-38 vote that was very close to party lines.

Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio joined with Republican colleagues on Thursday in calling for a federal balanced budget amendment.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on June 8 in Florida's lawsuit against the federal health-care law, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson declared the law unconstitutional last month. Florida and 25 other states have brought the suit against the federal government over the health care law passed by Democrats in 2010.

The Senate Budget Committee voted to cut the ad valorem tax rates of the state's water management districts to the tune of $210.5 million, increasing its oversight of the bodies for good measure.

The move got the unanimous approval of the committee, and would allow the Legislature to annually review and authorize the millage rates of each of Florida's five water management districts. Currently the WMDs, which are made up of unelected board members appointed by the governor, arrange and adopt their own budgets and tax rates.

The Senate Budget Committee passed a reworking of the state's pension system Thursday over the objections of several state workers and union officials.

The overhaul of the pension system calls on workers to contribute 3 percent of their salary toward their pension. It moved through the committee on a 12-8 vote, with Republicans Mike Fasano of New Port Richey and Thad Altman of Melbourne joining the six Democrats on the committee in voting against it.

Union officials and state workers are pleading with state senators to keep their current pension benefits, or at least reduce the amount of cuts the senators are favoring as they attempt to reform Florida's pension fund and close a $3.8 billion budget deficit.