Every election, were told, is important. Critical, even. But its more than the usual hyperbole this time.

For reform of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. reform, even tiny steps can be a big deal.

Between Jan. 1, 2011, and this week, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is down 18 policies.

With more than 1.47 million polices now being handled by the insurer of last resort, 18 might not sound like a lot. However, for state officials who have been trying to direct a vast number of those policies toward private insurers, the reduction --no matter how slight --is viewed as good news.

The House Appropriations Committee will have its first review Thursday afternoon of astand-alone effort to privatize prisons and alter the public review of future outsourcing efforts after a pair of bills advanced it on a fast track to the Senate floor.

Environmentalists can be such hypocrites. Especially the rich ones. Closet flimflammers.

Gov. Rick Scott favors closing the Internet cafes that have been springing up across the state.

The governor, who has yet to take a public stance on the destination gaming bills now before the Legislature, took a firm stand on the cafes or arcades that cater to seniors and fall short of being legally considered casinos by offering "sweepstake" prizes rather directly awarding cash.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The crowd at the Fox News/Wall Street Journal debate in Myrtle Beach was feisty, with whoops and cheers for Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry, though not so much for Ron Paul.

President Barack Obama and Gov. Rick Scott are poles apart politically, but their visits to Brazil last year put them on the same page when it comes to the value of Brazilian tourists here.

Obama is scheduled to be in Orlando on Thursday, reportedly to announce new initiatives to streamline the issuance of U.S. tourist visas for Brazilians. The program could encompass China as well, sources said.

Scott has called for changes in the visa program.

Two decades after voters said "eight is enough" for state lawmakers, a House proposal could lead to term limits for sheriffs, tax collectors and other county officials in many parts of the state.

The House Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday narrowly approved a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 785) that would make clear voters in 20 counties can slap term limits on local officials.

The 8-7 subcommittee vote reflected deep divisions that remain about term limits, which were approved for the Legislature in 1992.

While plans for high-speed trains have slowed across the country, intercity buses are hitting the accelerator.

Florida, which rejected a $2.4 billion federal grant to launch high-speed rail service between Tampa and Orlando, is home to some of the fastest-growing bus corridors in the country.

RedCoach, a luxury bus line, increased its Florida ridership by 20 percent last year. The company's routes connect South Florida, Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Florida Republicans give high marks to freshman U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who rocketed to national prominence following his win over then-Gov. Charlie Crist during the 2010 election cycle, and offered a solid grade for Gov. Rick Scott.

The poll, conducted by Harrisburg, Pa.-based Voter Survey Service (VSS), found that 77 percent of likely Florida Republican presidential primary voters see Rubio as favorable, while only 10 percent see him as unfavorable. Twelve percent of those surveyed have no opinion about Rubio.