When asked if he has any plans to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 GOP primary, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford mostly said no -- mostly -- but he didn't emphatically rule it out.

Weatherford said he's too busy right now going into the 2013 legislative session to think of such things. He and Scott are friends, Scott is doing a good job, and besides, they agree on most things anyway, Medicaid expansion excepted.

Not an "absolutely, positively not interested," Mr. Speaker.

The James Madison Institute, in celebration of its 25th year advocating policies that advance individual liberty, limited government and free markets, has scheduled a gala anniversary reception and dinner Wednesday, March 13, on the Florida State University campus.

"This is a landmark year for us," said Valerie Wickboldt, vice president of communications for the Tallahassee-based public policy organization.

"We're commemorating 25 years of helping to shape Florida's future, and the staff has been planning this gala for the whole year. We're going all out," Wickboldt said.

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives today released a joint "invitation to negotiate," asking qualified vendors willing to perform a two-part study detailing gaming market information to bid.

Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said in the announcemet, "The study will be used by the Florida Legislature to better understand the economic, fiscal, and social impacts of possible changes in Floridas gaming environment."

Let's see ... Mother Jones turns out a story ripping the tea party and Rick Scott, and guess what happens?

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee wants to lavish a little money on Orlando's soccer hopes and dreams, and you know what? My conservative conscience is completely at peace with it.

A bill that could help two Florida cities attract Major League Soccer took home a clean-sheet victory in its first appearance before a Senate committee a day after Orlandos efforts to field a team moved up, thanks to the addition of a Brazilian financial backer.

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Tuesday handed an 11-0 vote in support of Senate Bill 358, which would allow teams seeking to build stadiums in Jacksonville and Orlando to be eligible for about $2 million a year for 30 years in local sales tax assistance.