Organizers across the political spectrum Friday began taking aim at the state Capitol for next week’s opening of the two-month legislative session.

The Facebook-drive Awake The State protest has about 30 rallies planned Tuesday from Key West to Pensacola — with critics of Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-led Legislature’s budget-cutting the focus.

 Teachers, government employees, cops and firefighters form the core of those pushing back against proposed pension overhauls, but expected reductions in schools and health-care programs are drawing more opponents, said Damien Filer of Progress Florida.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people who say, `this is going to be my first rally of any kind,’” Filer said. “I’ll be interested to see what kind of momentum remains among people after next week.”

A West Palm Beach rally is planned from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, in the 100 block of Clematis Street.

Tea Party activists expect to counter-punch, with several thousand Scott supporters expected in Tallahassee. (more…)

Sen. Nan Rich has her work cut out for her as the Weston Democrat takes over as head of her caucus.

Dems are outnumbered more than ever after the elections earlier this month – just 51 Democrats remain of the 160 members of the House and Senate. Republicans have a veto-proof majority in both chambers – IF they can keep Democratic leader Rich and her House counterpart Ron Saunders from corralling moderate GOP members on crucial floor and committee votes.

Democrats are down to 12 in the Senate after losing two seats to Republicans earlier this month.

Perhaps Rich’s right-hand-woman, Sen. Arthenia Joyner, expressed it best during a caucus conference this morning.

“As the loyal opposition, we’ve got to be a voice for the voiceless,” Joyner, D-Tampa, said. “As a black woman…I’m ready for a fight every day because…Just to exist, everything’s a fight. It’s a way of life.
It’s not a problem because we know how to take it even in the worst of times.”

The state’s top two law enforcement groups – the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association – have thrown their support behind Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Democrat in the governor’s race.

According to Sink’s campaign, it’s the first time the FOP has endorsed a Democrat for governor in 16 years. Their last pick? The late Gov. Lawton Chiles in his 1994 re-election campaign. Sink’s campaign also says it’s been two decades since both law enforcement organizations a Democrat for governor.

Sink’s duties as the state’s chief financial officer include acting as Florida’s fire marshal.