State universities are once again having to comb their budgets and look for ways to slash millions to close shortfalls by early June.

Universities are facing an unappetizing buffet of budget-trimming choices after years of budget cuts have left some with what they say are bare-bones operations. On the table this year are tuition increases, cuts to merit-based aid, higher fees to out-of-state students, reductions in paid time off and the possible elimination of programs that have low enrollments.

"I'm going to do my part to lead a constructive and civil debate on these issues."
-- Barack Obama, speech on immigration, El Paso, Texas, May 10.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee on Thursday endorsed state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, were good friends when the 2011 legislative session began.

But as the session drew down to the wire, and a spat between the two chambers turned into a showdown that resulted in Cannon putting one over on Haridopolos, that relationship appears to be fractured, at best.

Buffeted by business interests and political hardball, Gov. Rick Scott is near a decision to approve the SunRail commuter train project for Central Florida, sources tell Sunshine State News.

After rejecting $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funds and derailing a proposed Tampa-Orlando high-speed train, the governor has reportedly turned around on SunRail, a $1.3 billion line that would serve parts of four counties around Orlando.

State Sen. Paula Dockery said Scott will approve the 61-mile venture for three reasons: