After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton

An aide and fund-raiser for former Congressman Robert Wexler, has been sentenced to a year's probation and fined $3,200 for giving the Internal Revenue Service false information about a $15,000 kickback she received in a real estate deal mixed up in Democrat Wexler's campaign. Even after the sentencing, the case remains a mystery. It was a joint FBI/IRS money-laundering investigation that led to the criminal charge against Daniella Howard.

On Tuesday the Florida House honored former Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin, who passed away over the weekend, with a moment of silence. Mayor Austin served the people for more than 50 years, said Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville, who served with him for more than two decades, including a tenure as Austins chief of staff. Weinstein talked about Austins role as a mentor to a host of public servants. Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, who worked with Austin as an assistant state attorney, called him a great leader and a visionary.

No big surprise here but, during an appearance on Mark Levins radio show on Monday night, former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner announced that he was entering the crowded Republican primary to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Hasner had already filed paperwork establishing his candidacy. David Catanese over at Politico has an excellent piece on how Hasner is looking to take a page from Marco Rubios successful U.S. Senate campaign in 2010.

Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee and Speaker Dean Cannons, R-Winter Park, point woman on the budget, weighed in on the continued budget negotiations with the Senate-- and placed the blame for the increasing frustrations squarely on the Senate.