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.

Predictably enough, the media are having a heyday with Gov. Rick Scotts decision to accept three years of federal funding for Medicaid under Obamacare, suggesting flip-flops and crass political maneuvering for re-election --moving to the center.

As legislators have in the past, expect disagreements to continue between the House and Senate as the 2013 regular session progresses.

Both chambers appear to be heading in the same direction on issues ranging from election and ethics reform, policy changes to Citizens Insurance Property Corp., to manufacturing incentives, higher education funding and teacher pay.