The economic impact of expanding Medicaid as required under the federal health-care act will be before the Senate Select Committee on the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Monday.

With legislative leadership remaining unconvinced that the mandated program will reduce costs for Floridians, the committee is scheduled to hear presentations on:

-- Floridas option to expand Medicaid eligibility from Joan Alker of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families and from Greg Mellowe of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy.

After congratulating Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford for championing campaign finance reform during the upcoming legislative session, Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, announced Friday that he is closing hiscommittee of continuous existence and donating its remaining funds to charity.