On Wednesday, the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate rejected Republican efforts to push a measure repealing the federal health care law enacted in 2010 with the backing of President Barack Obama. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a repeal measure last week.

During a three-hour meeting Thursday morning with Enterprise Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said he will bring the public-private partnership and two other state agencies into a newly created department of commerce -- and house the department right next door to his office where he can give it the attention it deserves.

Rick Scott was little more than a speck in the distance, but Cole Mehone, 38, stood weighted down by his backpack at the far edge of the VIP section, straining to hear every word the newly sworn-in governor had to say. The out-of-work accountant had hitchhiked from Panama City to Tallahassee, without a ticket or money to buy one -- to see his first inauguration, yes, but more important, to honor the man he believes is going to jump-start his stalled life.

While Florida continues to adjust to being led by newly inaugurated Gov. Rick Scott, the new executive continues to flesh out his administration.

This Week’s Heroes: Barney Bishop, Adam Putnam, et al.

Barney Bishop is a Mississippi gambler if ever I saw one – and I’ve seen a few. An EPA administrator overplays her hand, the Associated Industries of Florida president calls her bluff and bets the farm. EPA folds. Game over, Bishop triumphs.

A veto override planned by Florida’s Republican legislative leaders is driving a wedge between major GOP donors, with business groups and health care giants Wednesday renewing their fight over a prescription drug bill.

Businesses hoping the state will continue to pay for certain damages sustained on projects contracted with state agencies might need to temper their expectations.

The Senate Policy Steering Committee on Ways and Means voted unanimously Thursday to absolve the state of paying certain early-termination and liquidated-damage fees on contracted projects, and cap state leases of personal property at $500,000.

The bill, which also passed its last committee unanimously, is now headed to the floor.

Leaders in Florida’s business, labor and space industry urged President Barack Obama in a letter Monday to extend the space shuttle program at Kennedy Space Center or replace it with a similar manned, heavy-lift vehicle as soon as possible.

With so many candidates and so many high-profile races, business leaders attending the annual Associated Industries of Florida conference in Orlando say they're having a hard time trying to decide who to spend their money on.

Will this week's special legislative session bring responsible public policy debate or crass political posturing?

Locked in a tight race for the Republican attorney general nomination, former Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi and former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Holly Benson won endorsements on Thursday and used the opportunity to pledge to continue Attorney General Bill McCollum’s lawsuit against new federal health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama. Kottkamp also picked up an endorsement and used it to stress his legal background.