State unemployment rate dips slightly; growth in ‘lower wage industries’ Restaurant kitchen 360×270 – Florida Independent

Incoming Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam recently petitioned the State Board of Education to delay considering a ban on sugary drinks in schools, claiming the focus on soda and chocolate milk does not address the broader picture of school nutrition while insisting students will be better served once the Department of Agriculture is given authority under the president's new child nutrition bill to establish standards for all school food offerings. ThinkProgress is reporting that Putnam received upwards of $61,000 in campaign contributions from sugar and dairy interests during the 2010 election cycle, including donations from Coca Cola and individuals associated with U.S. Sugar Corporation.

This weekend, the Florida Family Policy Council holds its annual policy awards dinner featuring GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. The group will also feature a list of special guest participants, which includes many of the Florida legislators who played a big role in curbing access to abortion in the state this past session.