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

The Senate voted Thursday to send tougher legislation against human trafficking to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott for final approval. The bill, SB 1880, is a priority of Attorney General Pam Bondi. The bill -- approved last week by the House -- would increase penalties for trafficking to be consistent with federal human trafficking laws and give law enforcement agencies the ability to request warrants to "intercept oral and electronic communications" related to human trafficking investigations.

Gov. Rick Scott has announced he is reopening the call for applications to fill the pending vacancy of state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The new application deadline is March 8. Searching for a replacement, Scott had previously extended the deadline last month to replace Michael F. McAuliffe, who is resigning as state attorney for the circuit, which covers Palm Beach County.

Increasing the isolation of the Florida Education Association and its Democratic Party handmaidens, two African-American leaders announced their support for Parent Trigger legislation this week. T. Willard Fair, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, said the reform measure would put power back in the hands of parents.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns denied and denounced a fellow Republican's claim that he tried to "buy" him out of the race. James Jett, the clerk of courts for Clay County, is among the announced GOP opponents to Stearns, R-Ocala, who is running for re-election in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. Mr. Jetts claim is totally unfounded -- no one is authorized to make any claims or concessions on behalf of Representative Stearns,"Stearns' press secretary Paul Flusche said in a statement obtained by Sunshine State News.