The following are Senate President Mike Haridopolos opening remarks from the first day of the 2012 legislative session on Jan. 10:
"Welcome back as we begin anew. We're here a little bit earlier than last year, but ready to work. I want to thank the Cabinet once again for joining us. We look forward to a successful session to lift people up and make sure that we provide new opportunities once again in the great state of Florida. Before I begin, I want to say a few thank yous and make some comments about some of the challenges that we will face over the next 60 days.
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President Barack Obama's re-election hopes took a hit Tuesday from an economic index that showed continued unease by America's small-business owners.
Along with the latest unemployment rate, which declined slightly in December, the "Optimism Index" of the National Federation of Independent Business bumped up 1.8 points. But the outlook for growth remains cloudy at best.
The Florida Senate approved$10.75 million for Eric Brody, who suffered brain injuries in 1998 when his car was hit by a Broward sheriffs deputy.
The bill must still go before the state House.
Similar efforts have failed to win approval from both chambers in prior sessions.
A priority of Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, the bill was initially filed in September for $15.575 million.
The settlement amount remains far short of the $31 million a jury awarded against the Broward County sheriffs office in 2005.
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Headed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, a coalition of previously announced opponents to the destination gambling resorts bills now before the state Legislature reaffirmed their stance as the 2012 legislative session got under way Tuesday.
The business group and its new coalition is titled Bad bet for Florida."
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While most eyes are on New Hampshire where the Republican presidential hopefuls battle in the primary on Tuesday, We Ask America released a poll of the next state in the procession of primaries that will determine which candidate will challenge Barack Obama in November -- South Carolina, which holds its primary on Jan. 21.
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Pundits and his opponents in both the Democratic and Republican ranks continue to pummel Mitt Romney as one of the weakest GOP front-runners in recent memory.
Republican presidential hopeful former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman released his closing pitch to New Hampshire primary voters in a video released on Tuesday. Huntsman has focused heavily on the Granite State and is hoping for a strong showing in the primary on Tuesday.
According to two polls released on Tuesday, Huntsman is in third place -- and is in a close battle with U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas to finish second behind former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.
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Calling for a new era of cooperation and a $1 billion boost in school spending, Gov. Rick Scott told legislators Tuesday that better times are ahead for Florida.
My fellow Floridians, Im here today to tell you that promise and opportunity will return, in fact are returning even as we meet here today," Scott said in his State of the State address at the Capitol.
Sounding the theme, "Let's Get to Work ... Together," the first-term governor recounted, Last session, together we made the changes necessary to improve the opportunities for the citizens of our state.
