Topic: FL CFO Jeff Atwater

This week, Gov. Rick Scott celebrates the end of the 2014 Legislative Session with a state-wide "victory" tour highlighting a state budget approved by lawmakers, Republican and Democrats disagree about whether the proposed spending plan includes a record amount for public schools and the NAEP says Florida students learning gains are flat.

There is renewed momentum for the measure this year, but differences between the House and Senate versions remain.

If he gets it, Gov. Rick Scott could fill the Cabinet vacancy. The university's selection committee is expected to narrow its list of at least 48 candidates to eight applicants next week. The Florida Atlantic University board of trustees plans to select a president Jan. 17.

A report from the Department of Financial Services shows 56 percent of the 898 contracts reviewed had "deficiencies" that lack clear guidelines for scope of work or financial penalties for vendors. ... Related Research: July 1, 2013 CFO report, "Contract Review Detail by Agency, Review Period: 07/01/2012 through 06/30/2013," and Bureau of Auditing Activity website.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet praise the State Board of Administration and Division of Bond Finance and gave healthy pay raises to those agencies' directors.

Beating expectations in the investment market means rewards for staff members of the State Board of Administration. who manage the state's investment funds. ... Related Research: State Board of Administration Salaries Effective Oct. 1, 2013.

House Democrats voted against motor vehicle registration and drivers' license fee increases in 2009, but Senate Democrats supported them. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist broke a campaign pledge not to raise taxes when he signed them into law, but the Republican-led Legislature has its fingerprints on the tax increases as well. That could complicate GOP efforts to blame Crist, a possible Democratic contender for governor.

Florida is backing Mississippi's lawsuit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency over sharply rising flood insurance costs. ... Related Research: Oct. 10, 2013 Florida Cabinet meeting agenda.

Bankers and planners say too many youngsters don't know how to handle money and get into crushing debt that could jeopardize their job prospects.

Hundreds of policy makers and enthusiasts will descend on Orlando for two days of discussions about issues facing Florida. The 2013 Florida Leaders Summit will also debate and vote on Big Hairy Audacious Goals concerning health and education policies. ... Related Research: Sept. 13, 2012 "Jeb Bush: Bold ideas come from the states, not Washington" via USA Today, and Submit your Big Hairy Audacious Goals for Florida here.

The name of an interim chancellor has been broached, Atwater makes pick for small business advisory board, and 10 sudents have been picked for the new Gubernatorial Fellows class.

As the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act draws near the debate over the plan intensifies. This week, Cabinet members opened a new front of criticism by questioning the federal government's handling of personal information. And a Democratic congresswoman suggested that either Florida Republican leaders don't know what they are talking about or they are trying to sabotage the ACA. ... Related Research: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor's letter to Speaker Weatherford and President Gaetz.

This week the Dream Defenders ended a 31-day sit-in outside of the governor's office. Gov. Scott said Florida will sue Georgia over the amount of water in the Apalachicola River, an Auditor General's report found that many charter schools are unable to balance a budget and lobbyists reported their earnings for the second quarter.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam's first campaign report showed he has raised nearly $600,000 since mid-April. Campaign finance reports for the second quarter were due Wednesday for candidates, and most incumbents have an early edge over opponents -- if they have opponents at all more than a year away from the mid-term elections. ... Related Research: 2014 General Election Candidate Campaign Finance Activity reports.