Late Thursday the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsements in the gubernatorial and attorney general races -- backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott and attorney general hopeful Pam Bondi over their Democratic rivals.

To developers, Senate Bill 360 was a breath of fresh air in a stifling economic climate. For cash-strapped cities and counties throughout Florida, it was an unfunded mandate that would have forced taxpayers to pick up a tab developers have traditionally paid.

There’s no doubt Florida’s business community holds a lot of sway when it comes to electing the state’s next governor. Associated Industries of Florida boasts the most powerful business lobby in the state and the Florida Chamber of Commerce claims the largest membership with 139,000 businesses in its group.

It’s not talked about much, but the rivalry between Florida’s top business associations is real, and it’s beginning to show itself more in the 2010 elections.

Pam Bondi, a little-known Hillsborough County prosecutor just four months ago, triumphed over two more established party rivals to win the Republican nomination for attorney general.

The PAC for 100,000-member Associated Industries of Florida handed Rick Scott his most prestigious recognition yet on Wednesday, endorsing both the health-care executive and his opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum, in the Republican primary for governor.

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

Gov. Charlie Crist angered his former fellow Republicans with high-profile -- and highly politicized -- vetoes of an ultrasound abortion bill and teacher performance pay.

But eight other Crist vetoes jilted businesses or agriculture, or just contradicted previously stated positions, with potentially damaging impacts to Floridians and the state's economy.

Is it appropriate for government to increase the regulatory burdens and costs on Florida businesses during a recession?

Florida has the capacity to create "hundreds of thousands" of new jobs through expanded international trade over the next five to seven years, economists said Wednesday.

Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of Senate Bill 6 didn't do Florida any favors scholastically or economically, business leaders say.

"We're very disappointed. It's critical that our students are on the cutting edge. Doing the same thing simply nets the same results," said Nancy Stephens, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida.

"We need to challenge our students and we can't allow teachers to be complacent either."

A Senate committee voted Tuesday to allow private insurers to raise their residential property insurance rates.

The Senate General Government Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, to allow certain insurers to raise residential insurance by as much 10 percent and limit the power of the state Office of Insurance Regulation.

The union representing Florida teachers lashed out Monday at a bill that would allow teachers hired after July 1 to function under a different set of rules.