Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich confirmed Wednesday she'll run for governor in 2014 against Gov. Rick Scott --the first to toss a hat in the ring to challenge the Republican governor.

The Democrat from Weston, in Broward County, said in an interview that comments she made to Broward Democrats on Tuesday evening weren't intended as a formal announcement, but confirmed she's in and "formulating a strategic and financial plan."

Rich, 70, also said she intends to conduct a listening tour of the state.

A Florida Department of Revenue tax specialist pleaded not-guilty to loan-sharking charges Wednesday, nearly two weeks after quitting his job.

Dorian Harper, a 12-year employee, submitted his resignation April 5 -- nine days after he was arrested on eight counts of loan sharking. Harper allegedly used his Tallahassee office computer to track the transactions.

Appearing in Leon County Circuit Court, Harper was arraigned on the charges, which are second-degree misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail for each criminal count, plus court costs.

Rep. John Mica says the Las Vegas follies by federal employees are "just the tip of the iceberg" and vows to reform or replace the General Services Administration.

"It's not just the millions of dollars of waste and abuse at these junkets, but the billions of dollars in waste," said Mica, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The Orlando Republican called the GSA, the government's primary land agency, "out of control."

A House report, "Sitting on Our Assets," documented hundreds of cases of waste and neglect at GSA properties.

A poll released Wednesday by Public Policy Polling, a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, shows that Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson holds a lead over his potential Republican challengers but remains vulnerable in his bid to win a third term.

The task force being formed by Gov. Rick Scott in reaction to the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman shooting in Sanford will be announced within two weeks, the governor said Wednesday.

Theyre going to review laws like Stand Your Ground to make sure Floridians feel safe, Scott said while appearing on WBDO 96.5 FM in Orlando.

Were at a 40-year low in our crime rate, weve done the right things in our state. The prison population is coming down because weve done the right thing.But whenever something like this happens, you have to look at it.

With the Republican presidential nomination all but sewn up for Mitt Romney, leading politicians this week from the GOP ranks -- including a potential running mate -- jumped on the band wagon.

Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, who had been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate and who ranks as one of the top contenders to end up as Romneys running mate, announced during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday that he is backing Romney.

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday took a scalpel to health and human services programs, vetoing more than $38 million from the 2012-13 state budget -- including money for university training and research programs, a Southwest Florida children's hospital and a variety of local projects.

WASHINGTON -- I take a back seat to no one when it comes to loving dogs. For that matter, my dog takes a back seat to no one.

Ollie rides shotgun.

A Florida law that bars candidates from switching parties in the year before an election could face a court challenge on the grounds that it amounts to a lifelong ban.

Fred O'Neal, founder of the Florida TEA Party, cited Section 99.021(1)(b) of the law, which says a candidate must attest that he "has not been a registered member of any other political party for 365 days before the beginning of qualifying preceding the general election for which the person seeks to qualify."

Amid ongoing anxiety about the Republican field for U.S. Senate, Jeff Atwater is drawing interest and enthusiasm from conservative activists across Florida.

The state's chief financial officer told the political website Shark Tank that he is considering a run for the seat currently occupied by Democrat Bill Nelson.

That news set off a boomlet for Atwater in GOP circles.

Though the Republican Party remains officially neutral, GOP leaders and strategists were clearly buoyed by the prospect of the former state Senate president entering the contest.