Lawmakers Wednesday sent a property tax cap provision to voters following debate over whether the expansion of current law would further widen the gap between property owners who have owned for a long time and those who have not.

Following more than an hour of debate, the Senate approved a measure (HJR 381) that asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment to lower property tax assessment caps on commercial property and prevent assessments on homestead property from going up when market values fall.

While their reading scores have been nothing to write home about, Florida students continue to post top numbers with the FCAT essays.

The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that pupils in grades 4, 8 and 10 scored "historic highs" on the writing test this year.

Our educators continue to rise to the occasion, answering the call of increased expectations for our students to ensure they are leaving school ready for the next step, said Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith.

Democrats in the Florida Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to name Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale their next leader. Smith will take the reins from current Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich of Sunrise after the 2012 elections.

I am proud of the confidence my caucus has shown in me said Smith. Florida faces many problems over the next few years and I look forward to leading the Democratic Caucus as we craft solutions.

A budget deal reached Tuesday does not include a controversial proposal to limit how much doctors can charge for dispensing drugs to workers' compensation patients.

Sen. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican who spearheaded the proposal, said it did not survive budget negotiations between the House and Senate. Former Gov. Charlie Crist also vetoed such limits last year.