One million Floridians will be licensed to carry around concealed firearms in public, as the Sunshine State further secures its first-place status in the nation for the number of residents exercising the privilege.

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, saying the milestone exemplified the states devotion to the Second Amendment and other constitutional liberties.

Is Barack Obama bluffing when he threatens to go over the fiscal cliff if Republicans refuse to agree to higher tax rates on high earners?

Tony Bennett, the Indiana conservative who calls former Gov. Jeb Bush his inspiration, has been voted Florida's next commissioner of education.

The Florida State Board of Education selected Bennett on Wednesday over two other finalists they had interviewed Tuesday in Tampa.

Gov. Rick Scott signaled that he supports holding all schools that receive taxpayer funding to similar standards -- a stance that could open the door to administering state tests to some private school students.

The exact extent of what Scott would envision for private schools that accept students receiving scholarships paid for with tax credits wasn't clear from his brief remarks at a press conference following Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

The tough housing market is expected to continue to be a drag on the state's tax collections even after the economy begins to pick up in future years, according to forecasters.

There were few changes Tuesday in what state economists believe will happen with property values for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Forecasters met and moved the expected growth rate for taxable property values up to 0.83 percent. That's a few ticks up from 0.75 percent -- and both are negligible changes that aren't expected to produce much revenue.

In the final days of the lame-duck session of the 112th Congress, when most eyes have turned to the impending realities of the fiscal cliff, Floridas representatives are pushing hard, lending their names to bills and resolutions, hoping to receive a swipe of the presidents pen by years end.

Congressmen have pursued these bills since Election Day, giving themselves only three more weeks to approve legislation before the session ends and new legislation must be drawn up.

WASHINGTON -- One of my great hopes for a Barack Obama administration -- and thus one of my personal disappointments -- was that he would use his bully pulpit to emphasize the importance of a two-parent family, and especially of fathers, to children's well-being.