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

Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos today announced that he has trimmed that chamber's operating budget by $1,063,239. Completing the hiring of the president's office and staff director positions, the Merritt Island Republican also announced the appointment of two state government veterans:

Rasmussen Reports released a poll on Wednesday showing Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott aheadin the contest. Unlike other polls which showed a race within the margin of error, the Rasmussen poll had Scott ahead of Democratic rival state CFO Alex Sink by 6 points. The poll had Scott with 50 percent and Sink at 44; itshowed Scott pulling in Republican voters despite not being endorsed by bitter primary rival Attorney General Bill McCollum.

Through October, former New York Gov. George Pataki has taken to the airwaves and headed out on the campaign trail -- leading to more speculation that he intends to launch a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Defeating Democratic icon Mario Cuomo in 1994, Pataki served three terms as governor of the Empire State before deciding not to seek office in 2006. Since then, Pataki has formed Revere America, a political organization seeking to repeal new federal health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama.

Floridians across the state are getting a reminder this week from a familiar voice -- former Gov. Jeb Bush. In robocalls Bush encourages voters to "vote early, and vote Republican," mentioning U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, and Cabinet candidates Pam Bondi, Jeff Atwater, and Adam Putnam by name. The Bush recording also reminds voters that early voting has begun and issues a number to call for early voting locations in their county.