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Scott Travels to Washington in Support of Florida's Everglades

Submitted by Anonymous on October 6, 2011 - 6:12pm

Gov. Rick Scott, along with the state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard Jr. and the South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Melissa Meeker, traveled to Washington on Thursday in support of Floridas Everglades.

During a meeting of state and federal principals, Scott presented the states restoration efforts on lands already in public ownership and offered to help with federal water flow projects in the Everglades, the governor's office reported.

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Tea Party Vows to Stay at Senate Office Building

Kenric Ward

October 5, 2011 - 6:00pm

The tea party group that opened a "headquarters" in the Florida Senate building on Thursday says it intends to stay put for the 2012 session.

"This isn't the country club it used to be. We have the lowly people walking the hallways, and it's upsetting the apple cart," Tea Party Network leader Patricia Sullivan said.

Shortly after Sunshine State News reported on the tea party's open house at Room 227 of the Senate office building, opponents raised concerns about the propriety of a private group staking a claim to public space.

Georgia Guys Are Ganging Up on GOP Presidential Candidates

Matt Towery

October 6, 2011 - 6:00pm

Make no mistake about it. Both Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich know exactly what they are doing.

Signs of the Times

October 6, 2011 - 6:00pm

Lloyds of London Signs as Reinsurer in Florida

Submitted by Anonymous on October 6, 2011 - 5:37pm

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has signed a consent order that allows underwriters at Lloyds of London to operate in Florida as a reinsurer.

Lloyds is committed to providing insurance and reinsurance to protect people and businesses in Florida, Sean McGovern, general counsel and director of Lloyds America, stated in a release.

McGovern added that the state office has given us a clear signal that Florida is pro-business and actively encouraging investment.

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Northwest Florida Districts to Run East to West

Brandon Larrabee News Service of Florida

October 5, 2011 - 6:00pm

Senate mapmakers will draw legislative districts that run east to west as they carve new political boundaries for the Panhandle, members of the Senate Reapportionment Committee agreed this week.

The bipartisan consensus answers the tricky question of how to divide Northwest Florida, where rural residents from the northern part of the region feared having their votes diluted by more urbanized coastal areas. Some residents at public meetings had pushed for districts that run north to south, only to encounter pushback from rural interests.

First DCA Ruling May Open Gaming Doors

Lilly Rockwell and Michael Peltier News Service of Florida

October 5, 2011 - 6:00pm

In a ruling likely to raise the stakes in the discussion over expansion of gambling in Florida, the 1st District Court of Appeal on Thursday said state lawmakers hold the cards when it comes to decisions about new venues.

In a closely watched opinion, a three-judge panel of the court unanimously ruled that a 2004 constitutional amendment allowing Miami-Dade and Broward county voters to approve slot machines didn't preclude lawmakers from later further expanding the scope of gambling around the state.

Haridopolos Concerned About Chinese Oil-Drilling Off Cuba

Submitted by Anonymous on October 6, 2011 - 3:41pm

Sen. President Mike Haridopolos pushed off to his successor at least for now -- talk of reopening the waters off Floridas coasts to oil exploration.

But he cautioned that the state and nation need to keep an eye on Chinese oil-drilling off Cuba.

The concern I do have off the island of Cuba -- the Chinese are in the process of putting rigs there, with the support of the Cuban people, at least the Cuban government, Haridopolos told reporters during a sit-down with the media Thursday in the presidents conference room.

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Everything on the Table with State Budget Hole at Projected $2 Billion

Jim Turner

October 5, 2011 - 6:00pm

Everything in Floridas budget -- from turnpike authorities and prisons to education -- is on a potential chopping block as the state Legislature is now looking at a $2 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year, Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Thursday.

I hope everyone is going to be thoughtful and not just protect their own part of the budget and offer up some areas for savings, Haridopolos said during a meeting with the media in the presidents conference room.

Former State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald Challenges Vern Buchanan for Congress

Kevin Derby

October 5, 2011 - 6:00pm

Former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, one of five Democrat incumbents to lose their seats in the Florida House to Republicans in the 2010 elections, announced on Thursday that he will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan in 2012.

First elected to the Florida House in 2006, Fitzgerald, a professor at New College of Florida, moved up to the leadership, serving as Democratic policy chair, during his two terms in Tallahassee.

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