Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney offered a bill on Thursday that would treat armed service members and U.S. Department of Defense employees killed or wounded in attacks at Fort Hood, Texas, and Little Rock, Ark., in 2009, and in Germany earlier in March, with the same benefits as those killed or wounded in combat.

Terrorists targeted these sites in direct assaults on our men and women in uniform, said Rooney.These brave service members were killed or wounded in service to their country by enemies of the United States through acts of terror.

Busy morning for the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) -- not to mention the Joe of Morning Joe fame. First reports came out that the NRSC was looking to recruit former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. But those rumors were quickly shot down. Scarborough now hosts Morning Joe on MSNBC.

Gov. Rick Scott praised the House for passing a measure on Thursday reforming the states unemployment compensation system.

Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio joined eight other Republicans in the Senate introducing a measure that would try the accused 9/11 conspirators in military tribunals instead of in civilian courts.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis warned on Thursday that the Internet ranks as part of the front lines of the war on terror.

"Terrorist organizations have become increasingly adept at using the Internet and social media to recruit, inspire, and motivate individuals already in the United States to carry out attacks on their behalf," Bilirakis said at a hearing held by the Committee on Homeland Security. "We must combat the use of the Internet and other technology by terrorist organizations to inspire and encourage attacks by those who are already here.

On Thursday, the Florida House debated a measure reforming the state unemployment compensation system and passed iton an 81-38 vote that came very close to party lines.

The measure would reduce unemployment compensation from 26 weeks to 20 weeks -- and down to 12 weeks if the unemployment rate drops below 5 percent. The measure would also require Floridians receiving unemployment benefits to take skills assessments.

This bill is about tax relief to help business to retain jobs, insisted Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, who introduced the bill.

The House Education Committee passed a teacher performance pay reform measure on Thursday, the day the Senate passed a similar bill, setting the stage for what should be a dramatic debate on its merits next week. Last year, the debate over a similar measure, SB 6, which was vetoed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

A bill that would limit state revenues by tying them to inflation and population growth is ready for a final vote in the Senate after receiving its first airing on the Senate floor Thursday. The bill would place a constitutional amendment before voters in 2012, allowing them to pass the revenue cap.

Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, applauded Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, for getting his Senate Bill 736 passed, implementing merit pay for teachers.

"The education quality issue is near and dear to Senator Wise, a former educator himself, along with countless teachers impacting lives on a daily basis. He has led the shaping of this bill openly and respectfully and should be commended for his dedication to its success.

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation released the seasonally adjusted unemployment numbers for January 2011 and found a slight decrease in the unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate for January 2011 stood at 11.9 percent, down from 12 percent in December, meaning 1.1 million Floridians out of a pool of 9.28 million are unemployed.