Ever since the horrific congressional baseball shooting that almost took the life of Congressman Steve Scalise and former Hill staffer Matt Mika -- and came moments before Congressman Ron DeSantis arrived at the field -- members of Congress have been keenly aware that serving in public office has put a target on their backs.

So why on earth would Congressman Brian Mast turn into one of the rabble rousers inciting crazies to make targets of the public officials on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board? 

The release of the governor’s budget proposal is a closely watched event each year in the Capitol.

Big numbers get tossed around. Reporters scramble to figure out what the governor wants. Industry groups look at how they fared.

But the truth is, the release of the governor’s budget is only a prelude to the real action. Sometime in April, that will play out as legislative leaders and staff members work behind the scenes to cut deals that will result in a new budget.

Showing no signs of taming a ferocious debut as Florida’s chief of state, Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off February with a $91.3 billion spending plan padded with a little something for everyone.

The governor’s budget proposal --- the largest in state history --- boosts funding for public schools, pumps money into water projects and trims taxes.

For those whose eyes glaze over when they encounter the words “budget,” DeSantis provided plenty of other fodder this week.