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Group Hands Out Bibles in Orange County Public Schools; John Stemberger: 'Bring It On, ACLU!'

Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 17, 2013 - 3:38pm

News Talk WDBO reports thatWorld Changers of Florida, a Christian organization, is placing Bibles on unmanned public school lunch tables in Orange County, with students free to pick them up or ignore them as they please.

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Alex Lopes, Florida Teacher of the Year, Is National Finalist

Submitted by Nancy Smith on January 17, 2013 - 3:35pm

Whatever happens, prekindergarten special education teacher Alex Lopes -- Florida 2013 Teacher of the Year -- is already a winner. But on Thursday he found out he's one of four finalists for the prestigious National Teacher of the Year award.

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AG Pam Bondi Announces $60 Million of Settlement Funds Available for More Assistance to Floridians

Submitted by Kevin Derby on January 17, 2013 - 3:29pm

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that $60 million of the national mortgage settlement with the nations five largest mortgage servicers will now be available to provide additional assistance to Floridians. Bondis proposal, which was approved by the Legislative Budget Commission today, includes the following, according to a press release from her office:

$35 million for down payment assistance;

$10 million for housing counseling;

$5 million provided to the state courts to help with foreclosure-related issues;

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Senate Asked to Cut Overtime from Police, Firefighter Pension Calculations

Jim Turner

January 16, 2013 - 6:00pm

Legislators have been asked to increase the age local police and firefighters can begin to qualify for pension payouts and, more importantly, that overtime and base salary -- without overtime and bonus pay -- should be the determining factor to calculate pension payouts.

While some of the changes are expected to be welcomed by local government leaders, union representatives are not in favor of wholesale rewriting of the pension rules, which include restrictions on how local government can use the insurance premium tax revenue they now collect

Rick Scott, Republican Legislature Vindicated: Florida Supreme Court Upholds Pension Reforms

Eric Giunta

January 16, 2013 - 6:00pm

The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the Florida Legislatures controversial pension reforms of 2011, saying they do not violate public employees contract rights, do not constitute an unlawful act of eminent domain, and do not violate employees rights to collectively bargain.

Rick Scott, Buddy Dyer Cut Ribbon on New Planet Hollywood HQ

Submitted by Anonymous on January 17, 2013 - 1:07pm

Gov. Rick Scott and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Planet Hollywood CEO David Crabtree to cut the ribbon for Planet Hollywood International's new headquarters in Orlando.

The company, which committed to creating 90 new Florida jobs as part of a grant agreement with the state when consolidating operations in Orlando last year, has already created more than half the number, the governors office reported.

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Board of Governors Names Seven Trustees for University System

Submitted by Anonymous on January 17, 2013 - 12:52pm

The Florida Board of Governors made seven appointments to various university boards of trustees in the state system on Thursday

Thomas Workman Jr., president of Thomas Workman & Associates, Certified Public Accountants in Boca Raton, was reappointed to the Florida Atlantic University board of trustees for a term beginning Jan. 17, 2013, and ending Jan. 6, 2018.

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Rick Scott: We Need Short Ballots, More Early Voting Days

Jim Turner

January 16, 2013 - 6:00pm

Gov. Rick Scott is backing county elections supervisors who have recently asked legislators to provide more flexibility in early voting locations, reducing the words allowed by lawmakers for constitutional amendments and expanding the number of days for early voting.

Scott released a statement with his recommendations after meeting with Secretary of State Ken Detzner, who is expected to complete a review of the 2012 election and make his own recommendations for improving the voting process in Florida by Feb. 1.

Governor’s Office: Rick Scott ‘Not Proposing Any Gun Law Changes’

Submitted by Anonymous on January 17, 2013 - 10:28am

The governors office released a statement Thursday noting Gov. Rick Scott is open to ideas about improving school safety, but will not make any recommendations to change existing gun laws.

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Trey Radel: Impeachment ‘On the Table’ for Obama's Executive Orders on Guns

Jim Turner

January 16, 2013 - 6:00pm

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