U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that he will lead Republicans on the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs under the umbrella of the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- giving the Sunshine State one more seat at the table in dealing with the U.S.s policy in Latin America.

Rubio said he understood the important connections between South and Central American nations and the Sunshine State.

Compared to previous governors and Cabinet members, Gov. Rick Scott is saving Florida millions of dollars in air travel expenses.

In fact, Scott personally picks up the tab for all official and personal flights on his Raytheon Hawker 400 jet.

"Governor Scott does not bill Florida or get any reimbursement for his private [jet] flights. It's his plane and he pays the bills," says Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the governor. "Any time his plane flies, he pays for it -- whatever the reason for the travel."

MAJOR BILLS SET FOR SENATE FLOOR FIRST WEEK

The drama unfolding in Wisconsin is a collision between the generous salary and pension benefits of government employees and the ability of the average taxpayer to afford them.

The unions parade thousands of teachers, police and firemen who try to portray this battle as rich versus poor. But the reality is these workers are not paid from our progressive federal income tax. These workers are paid by local and state taxes and fees that are assessed on the average taxpayer.

This battle is between civil servants and the taxpayers who pay their salary.

Outorganized and outvoted in 2010, left-wing groups are taking aim at Gov. Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers on March 8. But they'll have to do it at a distance.

"Awake the State" rallies are scheduled at 17 locations around Florida on the opening day of the 2011 Legislature. That's up from the eight announced just last week.

A rally site in Tallahassee was announced Monday, but organizers couldn't capture the prime real estate at the Capitol.

With Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, set to retire in 2012 due to term limits, Republicans from across the state have rallied behind former Rep. Aaron Beans bid to replace him.

With the Senate leadership behind his candidacy -- coupled with previous fund-raising efforts -- Bean will be a heavy favorite to keep the seat, which currently represents parts of Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, though this can change in redistricting next year, in the Republican fold.