The Florida Senate’s political right turn was marked on its opening day by the occasional red light – with a dwindling number of Republican moderates voting ‘no’ on several veto overrides sought by leaders.

As the Senate readies for its special session on Tuesday, incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, named committee and subcommittee chairs.

Health care executive Rick Scott has hit the campaign trail. The Republican gubernatorial candidate, now leading in the polls over Attorney General Bill McCollum for the GOP nomination, campaigned through the Panhandle over the weekend, hit Bartow on Monday and will speak in Tallahassee on Thursday.