Five of today’s top Florida political stories at your fingertips:

Ron DeSantis calls for congressional term limits amendment – U.S. Rep. Ron DeSanti s, R-Fla., a possible U.S Senate candidate in 2016, said on Monday he will bring out a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms senators and representatives can serve in Congress. Under DeSantis’ proposal, senators will be able to serve up to two terms and members of the House will be able to serve up to three terms. A similar proposal in the House is being backed by U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz. Read more

Bradenton anti-Islam activist Terry Jones ‘unconcerned’ after Texas shooting – After a shooting in a suburban Dallas venue Sunday night was blamed on a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest, Bradenton-based anti-Islam activist Terry Jones, a Fry Guys fry stand owner and 2016 presidential candidate, said he is not any more concerned about his safety than he was before. Jones said he plans to expand his business to a second, larger restaurant location in the University Mall in north Tampa. The first location is in DeSoto Square mall in Bradenton. Read more

With Alan Grayson mulling Senate run, Democratic Party steps in to back Patrick Murphy – Looks like the Democratic Party doesn’t want a race on its side for the 2016 U.S. Senate race in Florida. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Monday endorsed the candidacy of U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter — knowing that Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando is considering a Senate bid of his own. Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the DSCC chairman, praised Murphy as the party’s best shot to win back presidential contender Marco Rubio’s seat. Read more

Senate snub prompts Gov. Rick Scott to reappoint 16 agency heads — Florida Gov. Rick Scott acted swiftly Monday to reappoint the heads of 16 state agencies who slipped into political limbo when the Senate refused to confirm them in the 2015 legislative session. The group includes heads of major agencies that oversee health care, Medicaid, transportation, prisons, elections and the environment, as well as the executive director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Read more

Democratic presidential prospect offers Republican-sounding pitch in West Palm — If Jim Webb runs for president, don’t expect a warm and cuddly candidate. Don’t expect easy-to-digest sound bites. And don’t expect typical Democratic talking points. Instead, Democratic primary voters will get a candidate who professes great admiration for former President Ronald Reagan, hesitates before offering an assessment that President Barack Obama is doing a reasonably good job, and — while pledging a positive campaign focused on his ideas — isn’t afraid to toss a barb at Hillary Clinton. Read more

Rescued! Leatherback sea turtle saved from crab trap off Clearwater

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Cheryl Carpenter Klimek

Administration
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Latest posts by Cheryl Carpenter Klimek (see all)

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