Florida House members uneasy with proposal to close 53 state parks

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in October proposed measures including saving $6.5 million by closing 53 parks that are only open during daylight hours

Fertilizer company paid  $10,000 for a cake  baked by the 9-year-old daughter of  Agriculture Commissioner Adam 

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- A fertilizer company paid a record $10,000 for a cake at the Polk County Youth Fair Auction baked by the 9-year-old daughter of state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

Obama and Corporate America 

President Obama is smart to extend an olive branch to American businesses. Our economic success depends on businesses investing, growing and creating new jobs. From expanding exports to improving infrastructure, government and businesses share important goals.

Much Sifting of Financial Crisis Panel’s Report 

WASHINGTON — Behind closed doors, Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, called it “the worst financial crisis in global history, including the Great Depression.”

Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Burke 

Every Thursday my gurus, Mr. Burke and Mr. Hamilton, get together at the Heavenly Rest to drink and talk politics.

Their Own Private Europe 

President Obama’s State of the Union address was a ho-hum affair. But the official Republican response, from Representative Paul Ryan, was really interesting. And I don’t mean that in a good way.

Harry Reid blasts Obama on earmarks 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blasted President Barack Obama on earmarks in advance of his State of the Union address Tuesday, when he’s expected to call for a ban.

Senate Dems Abandon Filibuster Reform 

The Democrats’ cave-in on reforming the filibuster in the Senate appears to be complete.

Rick Scott puts young campaign staffers in high-profile, in-house lobbying jobs 

TALLAHASSEE — One kept track of Gov. Rick Scott's inauguration invitations and donations. Another led his campaign field operations in Orlando.

Left laments Barack Obama's move to center 

President Barack Obama plans to play up a bright future with congressional Republicans by channeling his 2008 campaign message of post-partisanship in his State of the Union address

What Comes After No? - NYTimes.com

The Republicans have vowed to “repeal and replace” President Obama’s historic health care reform law. Now that House Republicans have muscled through a symbolic repeal bill, they will have to deliver 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Once Again Biggest Spender on Lobbying Activities - 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the perennial No. 1 top spender on lobbying and a vocal opponent of many of the Obama administration's top legislative priorities, once again ended the year with a lobbying surge.

Obama Sends Pro-Business Signal With Adviser Choice 

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — President Obama, sending another strong signal that he intends to make the White House more business-friendly, named a high-profile corporate executive

The State of the Union: Progressive Priorities for a More Perfect Union

In his State of the Union address on January 25, President Barack Obama is likely to call upon Congress to work with him to continue the progress of restoring our nation’s economic prosperity by creating good private-sector jobs

Robert Reich: The Real Economic Lesson China Could Teach Us

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Highlighting today's summit between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Obama is China's agreement to buy $45 billion of American exports.

Les Leopold: Financial Socialism by and for Wall Street Elites?

At a moment when Americans desperately want jobs on Main Street and expect Wall Street to pay its fair share, Washington officials are hard at work -- seeking jobs for themselves on Wall Street

Sputnik II And The State Of The Union

As President Obama prepares for his State of the Union address to Congress next Tuesday, his aides are looking toward a different Democratic president as a political template: John F. Kennedy