State and regional water officials poured criticism on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday, calling the EPA's proposed pollution standards heavy-handed, overly expensive and indefensibly "poor science."

Appearing at a congressional hearing conducted by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, a cavalcade of water experts disputed the EPA's tactics and questioned its motives.

Paul Steinbrecher, president of the Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council, said the EPA's numeric nutrient criteria are "rooted in poor science."

A work group set up by Gov. Rick Scott and tasked with developing ways to reform the states assisted living facility (ALF) regulations took recommendations from consumer advocacy groups during its first meeting Monday. But one member of the panel said the media attention paid to the facilities is overblown.

Money to pay for an adequate court system will be a priority for the Scott administration, Gov. Rick Scott told prosecuting attorneys Monday, but he also challenged the court system to be efficient.

Scott's remarks echoed similar ones to the Florida Bar Association earlier this year. Nevertheless, the fact that he is repeating the pledge appears to lend credence to his assertion that it will be a top concern.

In Don Marquis' classic satirical book, "Archy and Mehitabel," Mehitabel the alley cat asks plaintively, "What have I done to deserve all these kittens?"

Though the primary is more than a year away, the Republican contest to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 shows signs of heating up. On Monday one candidate scored a major endorsement, another went on the attack.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who is running in the Republican primary, unveiled the support of Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi.

Antitrust concerns may have moved to the back burner with news that Energy Transfer Equity is moving closer to a purchase of the natural-gas pipeline company serving Florida.

The Texas-based ETE said it expects to acquire Southern Union Co. in the first quarter of 2012, pending shareholder approval and certain other regulatory approvals.

ETE last week announced that a federally required waiting period had cleared, thereby satisfying a key regulatory condition to the consummation of the proposed merger.

U.S. Rep. John Mica is defending his efforts to ground an airport subsidy program whose costs have ballooned 300 percent in the past decade.

The Orlando Republican who chairs the House Transportation Committee was blamed by Democrats and the media for holding up approval of the Federal Aviation Administration budget.

But Mica says he was simply trying to chip away at a program that pays government subsidies of up to $3,700 per airline ticket at rural airports.

With all eyes on Saturday's presidential straw poll in Ames, a poll from Rasmussen Reports unveiled Monday morning reveals that five of the Republican presidential hopefuls are pulling in double digits.

The Senate and House ended the debt standoff with the president by passing the debt deal this past Monday evening.