If you can't go to Tallahassee for the inauguration, Gov.-elect Rick Scott wants to bring it to you. Monday he hit three cities in the central and west coast portions of the state to thank his supporters and continue gathering ideas on growing Florida business and improving government.

Elected on the promise of creating 700,000 new jobs, incoming Gov. Rick Scott was handed an economic development blueprint last week that cuts business taxes and expands corporate financial incentives, but casts a dim eye toward the more than 1 million Floridians out of work.

The congressional lame-duck session finally ended Christmas week for both the Senate and the House. The 112th Congress will begin at 12 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Here's both my qualifier and my bona fides for the opinion that follows: I earned my Republican stripes working for a GOP U.S. senator, for Ronald Reagan's first successful presidential campaign and for Newt Gingrich.

WASHINGTON -- The nation's menu of crises caused by governmental malpractice may soon include states coming to Congress as mendicants, seeking relief from the consequences of their choices. Congress should forestall this by passing a bill with a bland title but explosive potential.

Let's put the so-called "extravagant" inauguration of Florida's 45th governor in a little perspective.

Despite a sluggish economy and a potential $3 billion-plus budget gap, Florida should more than double the states tourism marketing budget under a proposal sent to Gov.-elect Rick Scott Wednesday by his transition team.

WASHINGTON -- Many parents have heard FICA Screams. Indignant children, holding in trembling hands their first paychecks, demand to know what FICA is and why it is feasting on their pay.