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

In a recent Sunday edition of the New York Times Magazine, the paper posed a multiple choice question:How much should raising student test scores count in teacher evaluations? a) 35%b) 50%c) 100%d) Not at all President Barack Obama's Race to the Top program is challenging state legislators all over the country to find a way to improve education performance at public schools. Evaluating teachers and rewarding or punishing them based in part on their students' test scores was one of the points the contest would evaluate.

In a morning that has seen a large number of endorsements, the Associated Builders & Contractors of North Florida (ABC) announced their backing of Steve Southerland, who faces a crowded Republican primary field to take on U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd.

The Associated Industries of Florida PAC endorsed Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, for state CFO today and Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam to serve as commissioner of agriculture and consumer services. These candidates have a longstanding relationship with AIF and their leadership is exactly what we need as we elect a new Cabinet, said AIF President and CEO Barney Bishop. Congressman Putnam and Sen. Atwater both understand the important role business plays in creating a vibrant economy and both have consistently championed sound fiscal policies.

Despite having served with Republican congressional candidate Karen Diebel on the Winter Park City Commission, Margie Bridges announced today that she will be supporting one of Diebels rivals for the GOP nod. Bridges is backing Craig Miller, former CEO of Ruths Chris Steakhouse.