Topic: FL Governor Rick Scott

Think tank hits lawmakers for inserting projects into budget late in the process, but isn't taking issue with the merits of the projects on the annual "turkey" list.

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Alachua and Leon counties had some of the highest per capita spending in the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget thanks largely to the University of Florida and Florida State University, but the report released Wednesday by the Legislature is loaded with caveats.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott's reelection campaign refused to say whom he would back to replace Lenny Curry as Republican Party of Florida chair, but Clay County GOP chairwoman Leslie Dougher is a leading contender for the job.

The Governor was one of 7,000 residents who received a tax warrant from the Department of Revenue in error last year.

The Florida Supreme Court is refusing to take up a challenge to a year-old state law that allows elected officials to place their assets in a blind trust instead of reporting each investment publicly.

Gov. Rick Scott has until June 4 to decide on the $77.1 billion budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and special interests with favored projects will have their eyes peeled for his line-item vetoes.

Former Florida State University President Sandy D'Alemberte has written a letter in support of Sen. John Thrasher's candidacy to be the school's next president.

The Florida Legislature is defending a year-old state law that allows elected officials to place their assets in a blind trust instead of reporting each investment publicly. Monday, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz ask the Supreme Court to boot the challenge to blind trusts.

Up to 75,000 policies were approved for removal Tuesday, but only about 11,000 policies will move from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. into the private market. Still, the timing of the latest take-out round right before hurricane season undercuts one of the arguments for a deal to give another company up to $52 million in backdated premiums for taking over up to 60,000 policies during hurricane season last year.

As in 2012, legislation to allow for large casino resorts in South Florida was discussed but there was no other action. A late push by Gov. Rick Scott to call for a special session on a possible renegotiated Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe was also snuffed out. Read more . . .

Along with the positive job numbers, more people are entering the workforce - another good sign for the economy. But despite the number of new jobs created, there remains an estimated 599,000 people out of work in Florida.

When a business group changed it's mind about having the former governor deliver a speech he met with reporters and provided details about what he had intended to say, including calling Scott a "bully" with a checkbook. The Scott administration said it didn't have any knowledge about the Council of 100 removing Charlie Crist from the agenda of its Orlando meeting.

Gov. Rick Scott is promising to release his tax returns and hand over whatever financial details are required by the courts.