Gov. Rick Scott repeated Thursday that he isnt interested in efforts by Democrats to end tax breaks for corporations that members of the minority party say cost the state $500 million a year in revenue.

Scott, speaking before the Florida Retail Federation at the Hotel Duval in Tallahassee, said the state needs to provide incentives to attract business.

Every dollar you take out of the private sector, thats hurting the economy, hurting business, Scott said.

For reform of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. reform, even tiny steps can be a big deal.

Between Jan. 1, 2011, and this week, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is down 18 policies.

With more than 1.47 million polices now being handled by the insurer of last resort, 18 might not sound like a lot. However, for state officials who have been trying to direct a vast number of those policies toward private insurers, the reduction --no matter how slight --is viewed as good news.

The House Appropriations Committee will have its first review Thursday afternoon of astand-alone effort to privatize prisons and alter the public review of future outsourcing efforts after a pair of bills advanced it on a fast track to the Senate floor.

Gov. Rick Scott favors closing the Internet cafes that have been springing up across the state.

The governor, who has yet to take a public stance on the destination gaming bills now before the Legislature, took a firm stand on the cafes or arcades that cater to seniors and fall short of being legally considered casinos by offering "sweepstake" prizes rather directly awarding cash.

Ken Detzner, who oversaw the transition of Floridas secretary of state's office from an independent agency to one that reported to the governor, was named Wednesday as the replacement for the outgoing Kurt Browning.

The benefit of Ken is that he has experience, said Gov. Rick Scott. Im confident hell work well with our other appointed officials.

Online students at Florida Virtual School outperformed their traditional-school peers on Advanced Placement tests in 2011, and at less cost, new studies show.

Florida Virtual School reported scores that averaged 12 percentage points higher than conventional high schools on the 2011 AP exams. The Internet-based school offered 15 AP courses to 3,053 students, an 18 percent increase from the previous year.

The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee said a time out may be warranted for the session to get updated revenue projections for the next fiscal year.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, wouldn't rule out taking such action, but added that the budget process wont be halted as he has been given bipartisan support from members of the Senate to delay -- if necessary -- the session for the budget process.

Florida Power & Light notified regulators Tuesday that it wants to increase base rates by $695 million next year, as the utility prepares to open a new power plant and faces growing infrastructure costs.

The notification is the first step in a months-long process that will involve the state Public Service Commission and representatives of consumers and business groups examining FPL's finances.

State and federal leaders Tuesday expressed optimism and the need for cooperation for the future of the Everglades, calling for more partnerships with -- rather than continuing to punish -- ranchers and farmers who work alongside the River of Grass.

Gov. Rick Scott downplayed the increase in funding hes requested for Everglades maintenance, saying the key is to spend any money correctly, during a panel discussion that was part of the Everglades Water Supply Summit at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center in Tallahassee.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, called a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule announced Tuesday to ban the importation and interstate transportation of four non-native constrictor snakes that threaten the Everglades a half-measure that wont provide enough ecological protection for the region.