Under fire from lawmakers, the Florida Department of Health has proposed a sweeping plan to reorganize --- and shrink -- its operations. Among other things, it would move the state out of the primary-care business.

The recommendations, released in a 154-page report, call for cutting 1,608 department jobs and consolidating dozens of divisions and bureaus. One of the proposals would buck the powerful doctors' lobby by lifting a requirement that the department secretary be a physician.

They sometimes start out as drivers, errand boys or executive assistants to the states most powerful in politics and government. Sometimes, theyre just volunteering for a cause, and they do a good job. Often, theyre in jobs where theyre expected to go out for the coffee and at all hours.

A few years later, they wind up as campaign managers, lobbyists or elected officials.

Frequently, its simply their dedication they always are on the clock that gets them noticed.