Floridas tourism leader anticipates people will modify their driving habits, without the desire to travel, as gas pump prices are marching toward the point where some motorists start making extensive changes.

As of Sunday, gas prices in Florida averaged $3.42 a gallon, up 2 cents from a week earlier and 21 cents from the end of June. The current mark is 7 cents below the national mark and 2 cents higher than in Georgia.

The motor club AAA projects that motoring habits will begin to change for a sizable number of people once the pump tops $3.50 a gallon.

Floridians are playing the states lottery games at a record clip and there is no indication that in these economically uncertain times they will ease off on lightening their wallets.

Florida's Lottery Estimating Conference, which on Tuesday increased the already record-setting sales totals for the recently completed fiscal year, projects the numbers to continue to grow for at least the next four years.

Battling for an open seat in the Florida House representing parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties, businessman Jake Raburn has the edge over his opponent for the Republican nomination and the Democrat in the race.

While stressing his conservatism and ties to the area, Raburn has also played up his connections to the agriculture community. Raburn, who is now with Hinton Farms, had worked for the state Department of Citrus and one of his biggest backers is Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.