Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, now running in a crowded Republican primary to see who will emerge to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, looked to highlight his right-of-center credentials as he reached out to conservative bloggers and media on Wednesday.

My focus remains on the fact that our country is headed in the wrong direction, said Hasner, who insisted he is a proven fighter who has stood for conservative values in the Florida House and on the campaign trail.

Even with the greedy insurance industry and the robber financial institutions and the lineup of fat Fortune 500 pharmaceutical giants, Spirit Airlines still makes my list of Top 10 Suckiest Companies in America.

A Florida House committee will begin discussions Wednesday to answer the call for reform of personal injury protection auto insurance by Gov. Rick Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.

Atwater said organized crime and huckster legal services have driven up personal injury premiums by $910 million through staged accidents.

Instead of junking coverage designed to reduce insurance costs by avoiding litigation over minor injuries in crashes, Scott said he believes personal injury protection insurance can be salvaged.

WASHINGTON -- Born during what is mistakenly called the debt-ceiling "debacle" last summer, the supercommittee may die without sending Congress a 10-year $1.2 trillion (at least) deficit-reduction plan. This is not properly labeled a failure.

The state Department of Transportation plan to try to replace dwindling gas tax revenue with additional tolling ability, particularly for express lanes, will be part of the department's agency bill when it emerges, a committee heard Tuesday.

A gaming commission proposed to oversee pari-mutuels, Internet cafes and the potential trio of 5-star casinos in South Florida may also have the state lottery under its watch.

Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, said Tuesday she has check with legal counsel to determine if the Florida Gaming Commission -- being designed to close loopholes and regulate existing gaming options -- can also oversee the voter approved Florida lottery.