In an extraordinary move, the Obama administration's Justice Department announced Wednesday that it will no longer enforce a federal law barring gay marriage.

In Florida, where more than 60 percent of voters passed a constitutional ban on same-sex weddings, the action was denounced as an unprecedented attack on traditional marriage.

"It's outrageous that the chief executive of the country is failing to uphold the law," said John Stemberger, an Orlando attorney who led the successful 2008 ballot campaign to add a marriage-protection provision to the Florida Constitution.

Is there a way to salvage something of the latest Obama administration disappointment --Gov. Rick Scotts rejection of federal funding for a Tampa-to-Orlando rail line? A possible answer lies in a proposal advanced by U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

A bill eliminating unemployment benefits for criminals and raising the standards and accountability for those receiving benefits passed through its first committee stop Tuesday.

Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, who chairs the Commerce and Tourism Committee, sponsored Senate Bill 728 and said that the recent economic implosion which led to large debts and interest payments to the federal government have pushed the need for reform.

There were thousands of businesses that used to pay into the system that are now out of business, Detert said.