Gov. Rick Scott toured the college-prep campus of Allen Nease Senior High School in Ponte Vedra on Friday to again tout his proposal to give teachers a $2,500 pay hike and boost funding for K-12 education by $1.2 billion in the next fiscal year.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, called for continued space exploration on the 10th anniversary of the space shuttle Columbia disaster.

“Ten years ago today the country was shocked as the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over the southern United States,” Nelson emailed supporters on Friday.

“Husbands and wives lost spouses. Kids lost parents. And our nation lost seven explorers who knew that space exploration helps us better understand the universe and our place in it.

Former U.S. Rep. Connie Mack has thrown his support behind U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, who has taken flak for a bill he and seven other senators plan to introduce to give the nation set direction on immigration.

The Florida Department of Education and Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett highlighted the state’s effort to reach the Race to the Top requirements as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education.

“Florida has shown great progress in meeting its Race to the Top goals and I applaud the department for the strong leadership they have demonstrated in their thoughtful and pragmatic approach to implementing this grant,” Bennett stated in a release.

Gov. Rick Scott is scheduled to meet with students at Allen Nease Senior High School in Ponte Vedre, St. Johns County, on Friday at 10 a.m., according to a release from the governor's office.

The purpose of the visit isn't listed.  

The visit comes a day after Scott released his $74.2 billion spending plan and agenda for the 2013 legislative session that includes a $1.25 billion bump in spending toward K-12 education.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry dismissed as lacking specifics the response to Gov. Rick Scott’s budget proposal released Thursday from Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale.

The leading Democratic super-PAC has already set its sights on U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City.

House Majority PAC listed Southerland as one of 10 they are targeting as vulnerable incumbent Republicans in 2014, with the focus on those holding competitive seats.

Gov. Rick Scott was awarded the Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Champion Award during the association’s winter conference.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater continues his push to revamp the state’s contracting system.

In a release, Atwater announced he will ask legislators to reform contracting in the coming session:

With Gov. Rick Scott set to announce his 2013 agenda Thursday afternoon in the Capitol that will include a call for legislators to add $1.2 billion to K-12 education, the governor’s office has highlighted some support that has already come in for the proposal.

Florida State Board of Education Chairman Gary Chartrand