On Wednesday, speaking at the 2015 AP Legislative Planning Session, Gov. Rick Scott vowed to make 2016 the “year of the manufacturer” in Florida.

Five Democratic presidential hopefuls took part in their first debate on Tuesday night in Las Vegas and sparks didn’t exactly fly. Joe Biden is still looking at getting in the race but Hillary Clinton, remaining the favorite even as Bernie Sanders moves up in the polls, held her own in the debate. Even with fewer candidates than the Republican field, some of the dark horses running for the Democratic nomination were lost on the stage. Here’s how the candidates -- and the moderator -- did in Las Vegas. 

Florida voters remain the most important voices legislators hear, a survey of legislative aides from Kevin Cate Communications (CateComm) reveals. 

Even as legislators get ready to return to Tallahassee for a special session to handle redistricting of the Florida Senate, an interesting Democratic primary is starting to shape up in South Florida for the seat currently held by state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, who faces term limits next year. 

A new study shows the Florida state government can save $472 million over five years by reforming its use of information technology. 

Two Florida Republican congressmen continued this week to try to rally support for U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., to be the next speaker of the U.S. House. 

State Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, announced on Tuesday morning that he will not run for Congress next year. 

The Democratic presidential candidates will meet in Las Vegas on Tuesday night for their first debate and the stakes are high. 

With Venezuela continuing to face instability, four members of the Florida congressional delegation have teamed up in the U.S. House to propose providing exiles some help. Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Democratic U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson and Debbie Wasserman Schultz unveiled the “Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act.” Curbelo and Grayson are the chief sponsors of the bill. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released a forecast indicating a major drop in orange production in Florida.