Few combinations are more poisonous than race and politics. That combination has torn whole nations apart and led to the slaughters of millions in countries around the world.

After eight months in his new office, Sen. Joe Negron -- chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and a legislator who hangs with some of the upper chamber's most powerful voices -- could be in a peck of trouble in his home district as he heads into a reelection season.

The best online news organization in Florida is expanding its coverage.

Sunshine State News now produces brief, newsy video interviews with important movers and shakers in Florida politics and business. We call this new video feature a "Florida Minute."

Beginning immediately, you'll be able to access current (and past) Florida Minutes through another feature of our Web site we call "Snap."

Florida's education reform bills would mean more money -- not less -- for public-school teachers, says Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey.

"This bill (HB7189) does not affect retirement, it does not cut salaries, it does not eliminate tenure for current teachers," Legg told a packed meeting of the House Education Policy Council on Monday.

Last summer, I wrote a column framed as a letter to a young Obama voter. It concluded: "You want policies that will enable you to choose your future. Obama backs policies that would let centralized authorities choose much of your future for you. Is this the hope and change you want?"

Congress is out for one more week on its spring recess, and presumably the members of Congress are enjoying some quality family and constituent time. During a recent press event, U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-FL vowed to sponsor and support legislation to repeal the federal health-care law and replace it with anti-health-care fraud legislation.

Efforts in DC and Florida to Repeal /replace and educate re: Health Care reform

Florida House members will get their chance next week to debate at length a controversial education reform measure that would link teacher pay raises to student performance on standardized tests.

And public school teachers will be packing the room in protest of the legislation.