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

Gov. Rick Scott released the following statement on the resignation of Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson:I appreciate Gerards service to the state of Florida and his commitment to ensuring Floridas students receive a first class education. He has been a tireless advocate for creating quality learning opportunities for all of Floridas students and he will certainly be missed. I wish Gerard the best and I know he will continue to make a positive impact on students and educators.

A survey of likely Florida voters released on Tuesday from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, shows a tight battle to control the Sunshine State with President Barack Obama barely ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the presumptive Republican candidate -- but the poll also finds that Romney could help win the biggest swing state in the nation with the right vice presidential candidate. The poll shows Obama taking 48 percent while Romney is right on his tail with 47 percent with 5 percent remaining undecided.

The past fiscal year is nearly a month old, but lottery sales figures continue to increase. With people playing Floridas games of chance already at a record clip, state economists have revised their totals for the recently completed 2011-2012 fiscal year by boosting sales another $262.3 million, according to numbers released Tuesday. The increase means the Florida lottery will send $1.35 billion toward the states Education Enhancement Trust Fund, $48 million more than what was projected earlier this month.

Florida will challenge the June 29 ruling by a federal judge that blocked the state from prohibiting doctors from discussing gun ownership with their patients. The Department of Health today filed an appeal to the federal court decision blocking enforcement of the Firearm Owners Privacy Act, Gov. Rick Scott announced in a statement.