Florida Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will be hitting the road, leading his committee across the county to get input from stakeholders and constituents on transportation issues.

The best ideas to improve and streamline government programs often come from outside of Washington, and before we draft any legislation these meetings will provide the committee with valuable insight and information, said Mica.

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns insists that too many federal regulations are hurting the economy -- and he is asking the American people for help in proving his case.

A report in the Wall Street Journal found that the cost of regulations in the United States rose to $1.75 trillion in 2008, and it is likely higher now, said Stearns on Wednesday. It is the American people who must comply with these regulations and pay their costs, and I am asking them to report any burdensome regulations that hurt the economy.

Is it 2012 yet? It certainly seems like it with Democrats and their allies running radio ads against three freshmen Republicans in Congress in the Sunshine State. The Republicans are also getting an early start as the National Republican Senate Committee released an ad on Tuesday taking aim at Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

A poll released by Quinnipiac University on Thursday morning showed that Florida will be in the frontlines in the 2012 political wars when both President Barak Obama and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson face challenges for re-election.

While the DCCC is targeting two Republican freshmen in Congress from Florida, another one is under fire from Blue America PAC. Blue America will be running an ad that targets U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams for not signing up for the congressional health care plan as she is already covered. Blue America is targeting 15 other Republicans with similar ads.

Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, on Wednesday, withdrawing more than 150 unconfirmed appointees left over from Charlie Crists administration.

There are some familiar names, of course -- for example, Mimi Drew at the Department of Environmental Protection as well as Art Graham and Ronald Brise at the PSC -- but also a lot of lesser appointments, ranging from professional boards to college trustees.

Republicans in the U.S. Senate tried to repeal the federal health care law backed by President Barack Obama on Wednesday but failed in a party lines vote.

As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on a measure repealing the federal health care law backed by President Barack Obama, the two leaders who preside over the Legislature sent a letter to Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Wednesday asking him to support the repeal effort.

With RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in Tampa to check out the location of the 2012 GOP convention on Wednesday and calling for Sunshine State Republicans to schedule a later presidential primary, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith agreed and called once again for the state to move the primary back.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott named Cynthia Cindy OConnell to head up the Florida Lottery.

OConnell, whose experience includes stints in consulting, communications and with the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, also had a stint leading the Division of Research and Promotions for the lottery. She also served on the board of trustees of the University of Florida and is the chairwoman of the Florida House in Washington.