Gov. Rick Scott, along with 32 other governors and governors-elect, signed a letter that was sent Friday to President Barack Obama, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and congressional leaders, asking for relief from federal mandates that interfere with how states operate their health care programs.

A 23-year-old "opposition researcher" hired by the secretary of state's office is getting some rough treatment for his involvement with an immigration-control group.

Anthony Bonna, the secretary of state's new legislative affairs director, said he helped "craft attack response and identify/assess vulnerabilities" for Rick Scott's gubernatorial campaign.

The Port St. Lucie man also was a board member of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement (FLIMEN).

Newly inaugurated Florida Republican U.S. Rep. David Rivera made his maiden speech in Congress on Friday, calling for free trade between the U.S. and Colombia.

Colombia is Americas fourth largest trading partner in Latin America, and the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that 9,000 American companies trade with Colombia, most of which are small businesses, and many of which operate in my district in South Florida, said Rivera. While 90 percent of Colombian goods enter the U.S. duty-free, American companies still pay tariffs for U.S. goods to enter Colombia.