A number of legal developments are sure to dominate headlines in 2013, both nationally and statewide. In a nutshell, here are the issues we think readers should track as we enter into the new year:

1. Florida Supreme Court to Rule on Constitutionality of 2011 State Employee Pension Reforms

2012 was a busy year for the Sunshine State, and in the legal arena no less than others. In case youve been asleep at the news wheel, weve summed up what we think were some of the most significant legal stories of the year. Some radically changed the legal regimeof the state or the nation, others constituted a smack-down of Gov. Scott or the Republican Legislature, while others were sideshows that gave us something to talk about.

(Oh, and if you were asleep at the wheel, try turning your music up: as youll see below, the Florida Supreme Court says you can!)

Republican grassroots activists, inspired by the message of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, failed to gain control of the Miami-Dade County GOP Tuesday night, but they have nevertheless won a record number of seats in the county party apparatus.

Most of these victories were won several months ago and not only in Miami-Dade but they are only being made public now.

One million Floridians will be licensed to carry around concealed firearms in public, as the Sunshine State further secures its first-place status in the nation for the number of residents exercising the privilege.

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, saying the milestone exemplified the states devotion to the Second Amendment and other constitutional liberties.