WASHINGTON -- The same week that President Obama's health regulations go into effect, forcing people of faith to violate their conscience or shut their doors, Mitt Romney was preaching the gospel of economic and religious freedom in Poland and Israel.
Floridas tourism leader anticipates people will modify their driving habits, without the desire to travel, as gas pump prices are marching toward the point where some motorists start making extensive changes.
As of Sunday, gas prices in Florida averaged $3.42 a gallon, up 2 cents from a week earlier and 21 cents from the end of June. The current mark is 7 cents below the national mark and 2 cents higher than in Georgia.
The motor club AAA projects that motoring habits will begin to change for a sizable number of people once the pump tops $3.50 a gallon.
As he seeks the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November, Mike McCalister hopes that voters will compare his background and experience to other GOP hopefuls in the primary in less than two weeks.
Were hiring people to do a job, McCalister told Sunshine State News. Insisting that he is well-poised to handle the constitutional duties assigned to the Senate, McCalister believes his background has prepared him for higher service.
Floridians are playing the states lottery games at a record clip and there is no indication that in these economically uncertain times they will ease off on lightening their wallets.
Florida's Lottery Estimating Conference, which on Tuesday increased the already record-setting sales totals for the recently completed fiscal year, projects the numbers to continue to grow for at least the next four years.
A survey of likely Florida voters released on Tuesday from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, shows a tight battle to control the Sunshine State with President Barack Obama barely ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the presumptive Republican candidate -- but the poll also finds that Romney could help win the biggest swing state in the nation with the right vice presidential candidate.
The poll shows Obama taking 48 percent while Romney is right on his tail with 47 percent with 5 percent remaining undecided.
Battling for an open seat in the Florida House representing parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties, businessman Jake Raburn has the edge over his opponent for the Republican nomination and the Democrat in the race.
While stressing his conservatism and ties to the area, Raburn has also played up his connections to the agriculture community. Raburn, who is now with Hinton Farms, had worked for the state Department of Citrus and one of his biggest backers is Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.
At least 11 sitting lawmakers derive some of their income from work with firms that lobby the Legislature, according to a new report by the watchdog group Integrity Florida.
But the legislators involved say they've done nothing wrong and that their firms take pains to separate them from the daily operations of lobbying practices.
Dan Krassner, executive director of Integrity Florida, said the findings of his group's report show the need for greater transparency in the personal finances of elected officials.
Has Mitt Romney given Israel a blank check for war?
