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

In the where are they now files, former Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker is now serving as law enforcement coordination specialist for U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh. Tucker, who stepped downnear the end of 2012 from his post at the DOC, is managing the Northern District of Florida's LEC program where he is reportedly developing programs to link with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Ronnie Duncan, a former Southwest Florida Water Management District board member, to the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Duncan, 55, of Tarpon Springs, served as Pinellas County commissioner from 2004 to 2008 and was a member of the water management district from 1999 to 2005. His term is through Sept. 20, 2015.

The economic impact of expanding Medicaid as required under the federal health-care act will be before the Senate Select Committee on the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Monday. With legislative leadership remaining unconvinced that the mandated program will reduce costs for Floridians, the committee is scheduled to hear presentations on: -- Floridas option to expand Medicaid eligibility from Joan Alker of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families and from Greg Mellowe of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy.

After congratulating Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford for championing campaign finance reform during the upcoming legislative session, Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, announced Friday that he is closing hiscommittee of continuous existence and donating its remaining funds to charity.