Even without major statewide or congressional elections scheduled in 2013, the new year promises to be anything but dull in Florida politics.

Stacked with lawyers from both parties, the Legislature's judiciary committees are again expected to address a host of perennially controversial topics such as civil litigation, foreclosures and malpractice that often pit businesses against trial attorneys.

This session, the men directing traffic in both chambers are not members of the legal profession. Instead, Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, and Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, hail from a business community that has long complained that the legal system is tilted against it.

The new year traditionally is looked at as a time to reassess one's self or ones company. In 2013, Florida will also be taking a look back, celebrating "Viva Florida 500," marking the half-millennium that has passed since Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Le became the first recorded European to arrive on Florida's east coast.

The Florida Department of State has already started to use the Viva 500 campaign to showcase the multicultural history of that land that has become Florida and the rich opportunities that Florida now offers.

WASHINGTON -- At the end of this year in which election results reinserted immigration into the political conversation, remember that 2012 is the 150th anniversary of "the first comprehensive immigration law."

Bill McBride, a powerful lawyer who unsuccessfully tried to unseat then-Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002 and later watched his wife, Alex Sink, also run for governor, has died. He was 67.

McBride, who had a history of heart problems, suffered a heart attack Saturday in Mount Airy, N.C., the Tampa Bay Times reported. As word got out Sunday about his death, McBride was praised by political figures from both parties.

Last week, Republicans proved they are not a governing party. Next week we will see whether Democrats are.