Lynn University says its hosting of the final 2012 presidential debate was worth $63 million in publicity to the campus and surrounding community.

A study by the Boca Raton campus also determined the Oct. 22 contest between President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney directly pumped $13.1 million into Palm Beach Countys economy, with a 22 percent increase in bed tax revenue and locals spending $1.7 million more than normal.

State workers unions are scoffing at a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott to include a one-time $1,200 bonus for those employees, along with raises for up to 35 percent of employees in each agency, as part of the $74 billion budget due out this afternoon.

"We appreciate the governor's acknowledgement that the officers deserve a reward for their outstanding accomplishments, Matt Puckett, Florida PBA executive director, stated in a release.

Efforts by Miami-Dade County to use bed tax money to help the Miami Dolphins pay for $400 million in stadium improvements may be tied down by the wants of other communities asking legislators for tax breaks on their own pro facilities.

Bills have been filed, Senate Bill 358 and House Bill 219, that would provide sales tax breaks on a $90 million to $100 million, 18,000-to-20,000-seat soccer stadium that would allow Orlando to attract Major League Soccer to Florida.

Rather than create a new university that exists in cyberspace, Florida lawmakers may instead seek to build upon what all the states universities already offer, possibly under the direction of the University of Florida or Florida State University.

State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan said the Florida schools should consider reviewing the more than 30,000 online programs already offered by the states universities and potentially moving them under the brand of one or a couple of the top-level schools.