Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams took aim at President Barack Obama on Tuesday, hammering his administration on energy. Adams maintained that the president needed to be open to more energy options, including increased oil drilling.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, weighed in on the lawsuit offered by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, against Gov. Rick Scotts rejection of federal funds for high-speed rail.

No surprise from the special election on Tuesday night as former Rep. Oscar Braynon cruised to victory to claim the Senate seat that had been held by fellow Democrat Frederica Wilson before her election to Congress. Braynon won the seat, which represents parts of Miami-Dade County, over Republican candidate former North Miami Mayor Joe Celestin. Braynon took 73.6 percent of the vote, easily routing Celestin who stood at 26.4 percent.

Sign up for news alerts from Sunshine State News

Gov. Rick Scott, who has until later on Wednesday to file a response, fired back at Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, who sued him to accept federal funds for a high-speed rail project.

My position remains unchanged, Ive yet to see any evidence that Florida taxpayers would not be on the hook, said Scott late on Tuesday. Senators Altman and Joyners disrespect for taxpayers is clear by their lawsuit trying to force the state to spend this money.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is looking to tap into the tea party phenomenon as he continues to eye running for the Republican presidential nomination. Freedom First PAC, a leadership group with ties to Pawlenty, has the former governor praising the tea party movement.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Tuesday that it would be sending more than $1 million to the Big Bend Jobs and Education Council Inc. in Tallahassee as part of its $30.7 million YouthBuild program. These monies are targeted for young people to learn about the construction trade through hands-on training and finish high school and GED programs.

Business and policy leaders who helped stop Amendment 4 in November have launched what they call a permanent campaign for prosperity for Florida and have unveiled a website. Ryan Houck, the executive director of the new Free Market Florida organization, released a video in which he explains what the new group and website will attempt to do in the Sunshine State.

On Tuesday, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica announced that Russell Roberts, who served as the congressmans chief of staff for years, was stepping down.

Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday that he would be leading Republicans on the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs under the umbrella of the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Rubio said he understood the connections between South and Central American nations to the Sunshine State.

On Monday, more than 60 conservative and pro-life leaders, including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum, Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center and John Stemberger of the Florida Family Policy Council sent a letter to Republicans in Congress who backed efforts to stop federal funding of Planned Parenthood.