On Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Crist extended an executive order issued earlier in the month declaring a state of emergency in the Sunshine State due to the continued cold weather. Crist extended the order, which eliminates all weight restrictions on trucks carrying agricultural products, until Jan. 7.

Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, chided Republican legislators Wednesday over their failure to pass legislation that would have allowed Florida to take advantage of millions in federal dollars to fund KidCare, the state program that provides health coverage to uninsured children.

Incoming Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam continued naming staffers on Wednesday, unveiling his pick for communications director, Amanda Bevis.

On Wednesday, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw announced that his team would be heading out across his North Florida district to reach as many of his constituents as possible and hear their concerns.

My goal is to provide the best constituent service possible, said Crenshaw. Whether its Social Security, veterans issues, visas, passports, legislation or any other question or concern about the federal government, I want to hear from constituents and help them out.

With Republicans about to take control of Congress, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich --who is considering running for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012 --weighed in on what the new majority has to focus on.

Next week when House Republicans are sworn in as a new majority, they will have a greater opportunity to enact real change than any House majority since the Democrats took over in 1930, insisted Gingrich in an e-mail sent out to supporters on Wednesday. The American people know we are at both a values and performance crossroads.

While 2010 did not go the way that Gov. Charlie Crist hoped, a new poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to nationally prominent Democrats, revealed that he generally retains the backing of Floridians as he leaves office. The poll found Crist kept the approval of 50 percent of Floridians while 39 percent did not approve of his performance in office.

Tom Jensen of PPP pondered the governors future on his blog.

With Rich Nugent headed to the U.S. Congress to take the place of retiring U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, Gov. Charlie Crist announced on Tuesday that veteran law enforcer Al Nienhuis will serve as Hernando County sheriff until Jan. 7, 2013.

Als 15 years as a dedicated law enforcement officer have given him the experience and skills he needs to honorably serve the people of Hernando County, said Crist. The leadership he has shown as an undersheriff for nearly a decade has prepared him to serve as one of the top law enforcement officers in our state.

On Tuesday, incoming Gov. Rick Scott named two key appointments -- Bryan Koon as state director of emergency management and Indiana Department of Correction Commissioner Edwin G. Buss to head up the Florida Department of Corrections.

Like Scott, Koon has a background in the private sector, heading up Wal-marts emergency management operations. A former naval officer, Koon also served in the White House Military Office on a number of issues including emergency management.

U.S. Rep.-elect Allen West, R-Plantation, hasn't even been sworn in yet, but Democrats already think his seat is vulnerable in 2012.

Roll Call reports the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is going after House Republicans who won in 2010 with less than 55 percent of the vote and whose districts voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. West won Florida's Congressional District 22 with 54 percent of the vote in November. The same district voted for Obama with 52 percent in 2008.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, announced on Tuesday that he was filing a bill to reduce state contributions from the retirement accounts of elected officials to 2 percent. Currently, the officials get between 3 and 3.33 percent.