After a long Independence Day weekend, politicians in two of the closest races in Florida are hitting the campaign trail hard as they ramp up efforts before the Aug. 24 primaries.

The close contest for the Republican gubernatorial nomination between Attorney General Bill McCollum and health care executive Rick Scott took center stage Tuesday morning.

GAETZ COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT SPILL LEGISLATION
A Senate committee will consider tax relief for property owners affected by the oil spill later this month, along with other possible legislative changes reacting to the crisis.

Daniel Webster's dictionary defines the word "emergency" like this: "crisis, accident, unforeseen climax, clutch."

Supporters of Gov. Charlie Crist are taking steps to armor his independent U.S. Senate campaign against an expected massive spending campaign by the national Democratic and Republican parties.

A $10 million state economic stimulus plan created by Gov. Charlie Crist has generated just 45 new jobs in its unfinished first year.

Last January, as he announced the Economic Gardening Business Loan Program, the governor expressed confidence it would produce a large number of new sustainable jobs while planting the seeds that our homegrown businesses need to flourish.

The Florida TEA Party claims that two of its candidates who were bounced from the fall ballot were victims of "ticky-tack technicalities" at the state Division of Elections.

James Ferentinos and Marshall DeRosa "did not name a depository as required by statute," said Jennifer Krell Davis, communications director for the Florida Department of State.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Republican candidate for attorney general

As we approach this Fourth of July, I want to wish you and your family a great Independence Day weekend. Our freedom is what makes America the greatest country in the history of the world. This weekend -- we celebrate our freedom.