The proposed sweeping ethics changes that would expand the prohibition on legislators lobbying for the first two years out of office wont take effect until after the 2014 election.

The Senate Rules Committee agreed to set the lobbying ban timeline on Tuesday as they advanced, with little debate, the ethic reform package that may be one of the first pieces of legislation voted on by the entire Senate when the regular session begins March 5.

The committee reviewing how Florida should respond to the federal health-care law agreed Monday not to pursue setting up a state run exchange.

At least, not for the next year or two.

Meanwhile, a decision on the massive expansion of Medicaids managed care program in Florida is now tentatively set for March 4, the day before the 2013 regular session begins.

Florida Polytechnic University, the legacy of Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, is already asking for its first increase in state funding.

The Lakeland Ledger is reporting that the board of trustees for the school created last year by the Legislature intends to ask for about $25 million in state funds to complete construction on the Lakeland campus first building.

A writer with the Insurance Journal is warning readers that the return of Charlie Crist to the governors mansion should make industry insiders -- especially those seeking to downsize Citizens Property Insurance Corp. -- just a little bit nervous.

And the belief is some legislators -- in looking ahead to the 2014 gubernatorial contest -- will back off reforms, which have been called for by business groups and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.