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

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., has released a statement calling on President Obama to authorize the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Earlier this week, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman approved a revised route for the pipeline to traverse his state.

State Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Lake Mary, has filed a bill, House Bill 377, to delay until the 2016-2017 school year implementation of the 2011 merit pay law for teachers that was linked to the FCAT test scores. Clellands bill ties the law to new Common Core Standards that are being implemented in place of the FCATs.

Freshman state Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Lake Mary, has filed two bills, aimed atproviding stronger public protections against corruption and legislative profiteering: HB 381 wouldallow for more public involvement in filing valid complaints and expands the scope of the Commission on Ethics, while also protecting the privacy of those who the Commission finds are innocent of wrongdoing.

Many Florida businesses may still be due a piece of the BP spill settlement, Patrick Juneau, the court-appointed claims administrator for the Deepwater Horizon Claims Center, told the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday. We have already sent out $1.7 billion, Juneau said. There is not much subjectivity in what were asking for, if you give us what were asking for. If you fall within the definition of that claim, we will process your claim and see that you get paid.But you have to give us the essential documentation,