New Mexico touts rising higher education enrollment
College enrollment in New Mexico had a 4.2% increase this spring compared with 2024, reflecting the second consecutive year of growth, the state Higher Education Department announced on Tuesday.
HED says more than 5,000 additional students are attending higher education institutions across the state, growth officials attribute to the state's Opportunity and Lottery scholarships.
According to the state, close to 30 two-year and four-year higher education institutions participate in the Opportunity Scholarship program, which covers fees and program costs for certificate and degree programs for New Mexico residents who plan to enroll in at least six credit hours at one of the state's public college or universities. The Legislature approved the Opportunity Scholarship, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham championed, in 2022.
Eligible residents for the state's Lottery Scholarship must be enrolled full time in a New Mexico public college or university within 16 months of graduation and maintain a 2.5 grade point average. The state in 2021 restored the Lottery Scholarship to provide 100% of tuition, following reduced coverage implemented in 2016. Last year, the governor signed Senate Bill 159, which created a close to $1 billion trust fund and scholarship program fund for the state's tuition-free programs.
According to NMHED, more than 34,000 students are receiving financial assistance through the Opportunity Scholarship and close to 10,000 students received Lottery scholarships during the spring semester.
'The Opportunity and Lottery scholarships are fulfilling their goal of empowering tens of thousands of New Mexicans to pursue a college education at no cost for tuition and create a more prosperous future for themselves and their families,' Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said in a statement. 'As we always say, there is no wrong door to higher education in New Mexico, and we are dedicated to supporting programs that broaden opportunities for our state.'
In a recent interview with Source NM, Lujan Grisham cited the state's investment in both early childhood and higher education as accomplishments from her tenure as governor. 'No state in the nation has our cradle to career system,' she said.
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Boston Globe
31 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Despite ahead-of-schedule closing of hotel shelters, Healey admin still says emergency shelter system can't meet demand
Healey's housing secretary, Ed Augustus, wrote in The extended declaration lasts until Nov. 9, and proclaims that because of the strain on the program, the shelter system must keep operating under a number of restrictions the administration began to put in place in the deepest throes of the emergency. The declaration, which is required under rules set out by the Legislature in a 2023 spending bill, can be extended again if Augustus determines it necessary. Amid that bureaucratic change, Healey's office said her emergency declaration from August 2023 still stands. The number of families in emergency shelter has fallen to Advertisement Meanwhile, the ongoing state of emergency means the administration, which has issued at least four contracts In a statement, a spokesperson for Healey said the governor imposed reforms that 'successfully reduced caseloads and costs,' and that 'it is essential that we continue these reforms so that the system does not experience another unsustainable surge and to protect taxpayer dollars.' 'Governor Healey inherited a shelter system that was not equipped to handle the surge in demand Massachusetts experienced these past few years,' the spokesperson, Karissa Hand, said. She said Healey's administration is actively evaluating 'whether the Governor's emergency declaration should remain in place.' Massachusetts experienced a rush of immigrants into the state beginning in the Since Healey took office in January 2023, officials drastically expanded the state's emergency shelter system to house thousands of homeless and migrant families For decades, homeless families have been guaranteed a roof over their heads under Advertisement As costs mounted over the last two years, Healey and legislators repeatedly added new requirements to dial back eligibility, including requiring homeless families to prove lawful immigration status, show they have lived in Massachusetts for at least six months, and undergo In 2023 Augustus, the housing secretary, The state's most recent data show fewer than 3,500 families in the system currently — half of the number there were at the emergency's peak. Mary Connaughton, chief operating officer for the Boston-based think tank Pioneer Institute, said 'calling this ongoing crisis an emergency is not only puzzling, it's costly.' Connaughton said the emergency declaration remaining in place has given cover for the administration to abide by 'weak internal rules,' and pointed out, as an example, a Healey officials and shelter operators rejected conclusions that her office broke the law in using no-bid contracts, and criticized the audit. Advertisement 'As we have seen, the emergency label has become license for weak internal procedures and faulty procurements,' she said. Healey, who is running for re-election in 2026, has drawn criticism of her handling of the shelter system by her GOP opponents. Mike Kennealy, a housing and economic development secretary under Baker, said the crisis 'has become a never-ending emergency' and that the latest extension 'only proves it's not going away.' He said as governor, he would create a 'loophole-free' residency requirement for the emergency shelter system. 'More than two years in, we're still in this situation because the state government lacked either the will or the ability to address the root cause from the start,' Kennealy said. 'Now, it's spiraled out of control.' Former MBTA executive Brian Shortsleeve, who is also running in the GOP primary, said Healey 'wants to use the crisis she created to continue to exercise extraordinary power with little transparency or oversight.' 'The real state of emergency is Maura Healey's out of control spending that is breaking the backs of taxpayers who are fed up with paying for billions in migrant benefits with no accountability,' he said. 'Beacon Hill needs a total overhaul, and that starts with firing the Housing Secretary followed by firing Maura Healey.' Some advocates say the current state of emergency and the related cap at 4,000 families also puts undue pressure on homeless families. Kelly Turley, associate director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, said the current limits on the shelter system have created a cycle where people are leaving and re-entering the system instead of finding permanent housing they can afford. 'When the state of emergency was first declared, we weren't sure what powers it would give the state,' Turley said. 'Families are being timed out of shelter before they are able to secure long-term housing. The landscape has changed since August 2023 since the state of emergency was first declared.' Advertisement Matt Stout of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Samantha J. Gross can be reached at
Politico
5 hours ago
- Politico
Massachusetts court crisis
DAY IN COURT — Attorneys who represent defendants who can't afford one themselves want a pay raise that would put their rates closer to their counterparts in neighboring states. The lawmakers who already cut spending from the state's annual budget — and are bracing for the fallout from federal spending cuts — don't see any place to pull the money from. The standoff is on the precipice of exploding into a major political headache for Gov. Maura Healey. So-called bar advocates stopped taking new cases in late May as they called for the state to raise their rate by $35 an hour. The raise would put their pay at $100 an hour for district court cases — an ask that may seem like a leap, but would move them closer to other states like New Hampshire and Rhode Island (one's where the cost of living is less expensive than in Massachusetts, they point out). The work stoppage is leaving defendants without counsel, and some have started to be released, thanks to a Supreme Judicial Court rule that requires defendants be released after seven days without a lawyer. After 45 days without representation, those cases can be dismissed — and since the work stoppage began just after Memorial Day, that could be imminent for some defendants. It's an easy opening for Healey's Republican opponents, who have spent the first few months of the nascent race criticizing the Democratic governor over state spending and safety. Both state officials and bar advocates say they're looking for a quick solution. 'It's a matter of public safety,' Healey said on Wednesday. 'It's also a matter of due process, and people are entitled to representation.' It's unclear what the ultimate fix will be, since money is tight. Budget writers in the Legislature and in Healey's office took turns shaving down the state's annual budget in recent weeks as they brace for a possible hit from federal funding cuts and uncertain revenues. '[If] we were to grant what some folks have been requesting … it's a $100 million issue,' House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz told reporters Wednesday. One idea that's been batted around: Granting the attorneys a more modest raise now, and tacking on a separate pay rate increase later on. But ultimately they'll need a longer term fix. "The Legislature could come up with a very temporary solution that might plug the immediate hole that we're in,' Shira Diner of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers told Playbook. 'But then we will only be back in the situation again next year, right?' GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll the Commonwealth's Caribbean Breakfast at 12:30 p.m. at the State House and announce an anti-hunger program at 2:15 p.m. in Medford. Attorney General Andrea Campbell visits the Pittsfield Branch of the Berkshire Family YMCA at 10 a.m. and stops at Berkshire Medical Center at noon in Pittsfield. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces the first units of housing that are under construction through the city's 'Office to Residential Conversion Program' at 10:30 a.m. in Boston. DATELINE BEACON HILL WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS READING — This new Morning Consult tracking poll that shows 59 percent of registered voters approve of Gov. Maura Healey's performance. 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Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: 'The pilot program, which will be jointly administered by the state offices of Travel and Tourism and Business Development, will offer up to $7 million in funding for live-stage musical theater, dance or theatrical productions in the state.' — State lawmaker charged with OUI, property damage near State House by Veronica Haynes and Sharman Sacchetti, WCVB: 'A Massachusetts lawmaker is facing multiple charges, including operating under the influence of liquor, after a crash near the State House in Beacon Hill. According to documents obtained by 5 Investigates, state Rep. John Lawn, 56, of Watertown, as arrested at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Beacon and Bowdoin streets. Lawn is charged with operating under the influence of liquor and leaving a scene where there was property damage, both misdemeanors.' FROM THE HUB — Rules for 700-foot skyscrapers across downtown will have to wait by Catherine Carlock, The Boston Globe: 'The long-gestating rules outlining what can be built where in the core of downtown Boston will get at least another few weeks of discussion. The Boston Planning and Development Agency board this week was set to discuss a set of zoning changes that aim to balance historic preservation with denser new development that would add to downtown's housing — including allowing for 700-foot skyscrapers in certain areas and easing office-to-residential conversions — but at the last minute, the plan was left off the board's agenda when it was released Tuesday afternoon.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Greater Boston Building Trades Unions has endorsed Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne for reelection. 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Phil Eng says the T is now evaluating the entire system for similar issues.' IN THE COURTS — Republic Services sues striking Teamsters, as latest contract talks fail by Matthew Medgar, Boston Herald: 'Bargaining between striking sanitation workers and the waste management giant they work for have ended in an impasse, as the company asks a federal judge to intervene to stop allegedly criminal negotiating tactics. Members of the Teamsters Local 25 have been off the job since July 1 when their contract expired, and despite several rounds of negotiations, some in the presence of a federal mediator, the latest talks held Tuesday went 12 hours without reaching a conclusion other than that the strike will go on.' — Two Massachusetts sanctuary cities head to court Thursday to defend their funding by Will Katcher, MassLive: 'A pair of Massachusetts cities are at risk of losing federal funding that has supported safety equipment for police officers, food delivery for senior citizens and paid for detectives investigating drug crime. All of it is on the line Thursday, when attorneys representing Somerville and Chelsea will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston to argue their funding streams should be preserved while they contest the Trump administration's attempt to withhold the money over their local immigration laws.' FROM THE DELEGATION — U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, local leaders line up behind Sen. Ed Markey's 2026 campaign by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun: 'U.S. Sen. Ed Markey firmed up support as he seeks a third term representing the commonwealth. A who's who of statewide politicos, led by U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, endorsed the Malden-born senator who announced his 2026 bid last October. Massachusetts senior U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren won a third six-year term in 2024. … The entire Lowell delegation endorsed Markey, including state Sen. Ed Kennedy and state Reps. Vanna Howard, Rodney Elliott and Tara Hong. Markey also picked up support from state Sen. Jamie Eldridge; state Reps. James Arciero, Simon Cataldo, Colleen Garry, Dan Sena, Margaret Scarsdale and Jonathan Zlotnik; former state Rep. Stephan Hay; Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian; and Methuen Mayor DJ Beauregard and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. Trahan's endorsement video, which was paid for by the Markey Committee, listed some of the issues that Markey has fought for in the community.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Residents paint over new yellow street lines in Newton as Italian festival begins by Rhondella Richardson and Phil Tenser, WCVB: 'Newton's annual celebration of Italian heritage begins Wednesday amid a heated debate over street lines, with some members of the community repainting the traditional tricolors over the city's fresh double-yellow lines. Every July for nine decades, the St. Mary of Carmen Festival—known as Festa—has paraded along the white and red line in the middle of Adams Street. Last month, the lines were painted over and replaced with standard double-yellow markings. On the eve of Festa, some residents took action without permission and painted over the yellow lines.' — Former parks director suing city, Reardon by Matt Petry, The Newburyport Daily News: 'Former Newburyport Parks Director Lisa Reid has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Sean Reardon and the city claiming her 2022 dismissal was 'wrongful, discriminatory and retaliatory.' Reid served the city from 2006 until being let go on Aug. 5, 2022. Her ouster came roughly a month after Reardon unveiled his plan to roll the Parks Department into the Department of Public Services, claiming that by cutting the Parks Department, the city would save upward of $105,000 a year. Reardon informed Reid on July 8, 2022 that her position would be eliminated.' — Use of AI reading tool in Worcester schools raises privacy concerns by Jesse Collings, Telegram & Gazette: 'The use of an AI-assisted reading tool in local classrooms has raised questions about how permissive school districts and parents should be in exposing students to artificial intelligence. Amira Learning is a digital reading tool that Worcester used in its elementary schools as part of a pilot program this past spring. The main function of the tool is presenting with students with words, then asking them to enunciate the words, which it records, then tells the students whether they said the word correctly.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — MaryRose Mazzola has joined Eastern Bank as senior vice president, director of external affairs. She previously served as chief external affairs officer at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. — Sheila Ramirez has joined the National Network of Abortion Funds as policy counsel. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Lizzy Guyton, a founding partner of South and Hill Strategies and a Charlie Baker alum, and Tim Johnson, managing partner of CSQ Realty, recently welcomed Grace Amalia Johnson, who joins big sister Colette. Pic … Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to House Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark, Wade Blackman, Lauren Pardi; Massachusetts Republican Party Executive Director John Milligan, Alicia Amato (Furnary), Katie Zezima, Kevin Ryan, Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Chanel Prunier, former Republican National Committeewoman; Brendan Beroff, Jacob Watts, Matthew E. Berger and John Dacey. Happy belated to state Rep. Rob Consalvo, who celebrated Wednesday.
Politico
5 hours ago
- Politico
DeSantis, Ingoglia offer ‘26 roadmap
Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Gov. RON DESANTIS and state Sen. BLAISE INGOGLIA laid out their plans for how to tackle the lead-up to 2026 as Ingoglia prepares to be sworn in as the state's new chief financial officer. The CFO pick pits DeSantis' choice against President DONALD TRUMP's endorsed candidate, state Sen. JOE GRUTERS. The fight will soon get ugly, as reported with POLITICO's Gary Fineout, but at Wednesday's announcement, the focus was policy. Ingoglia said during remarks in Tampa on Wednesday that he would spend much of the next year focused 'hand in glove' and 'side by side' with DeSantis on creating support to reduce or all out erase property taxes on Florida's primary homes. This approach will mean DeSantis and Ingoglia can message around affordability, which voters regularly say is their top concern. But it will also mean they'll be banking on the Legislature putting the question before voters when they meet for their next session that starts in January. Ingoglia promised another focus would be sifting through local government spending to find waste, noting he would be a 'conservative pitbull when it comes to spending.' That could give him the opportunity to travel and hold press events — something the governor already uses to his advantage to get his message out, as has state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER. Ingoglia further pledged to 'work on housing affordability overall' and to call out insurance companies that 'aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing.' All of this offers material for campaign fodder while the men carry out their official capacities. DeSantis said there would be no need to campaign for a year and a half because 'when you have a record you can run on' then 'all the campaigning takes care of itself.' When DeSantis ran for reelection in 2022, he often invoked his fights with Disney, federal Covid restrictions and 'woke ideology.' In the weeks leading up to the campaign, he paused campaigning to focus on the response to Hurricane Ian. What they're up against: Not just Trump's endorsement, but the dream team that helped carry the president back to the White House. Gruters brought on pollster extraordinaire TONY FABRIZIO and Trump 2024 campaign co-adviser CHRIS LACIVITA. The duo previewed their involvement in a post on X this week, with Fabrizio warning 'pudding fingers' DeSantis that he'd better hope he and LaCivita were 'both dead' by 2028 should he try to mount another presidential run. And as loud as DeSantis and Ingoglia might be with their message, they may get drowned out if the president held a rally for Gruters. (A senior White House official told POLITICO the president would campaign here 'if we need to.') What to watch next: When the fundraising heats up. Ingoglia hasn't yet formally filed paperwork to run, planning to do so in the fall, and he still has to be sworn into office. Gruters has more than $2.3 million available between his campaign account and two political committees, as Gary reported. Campaign filings show Ingoglia has more than $2.87 million available to spend from two committees. A final question is: Where does this leave Democrats? None have filed to run, and maybe the GOP's internal battles will change that. 'It is interesting that DeSantis chose to defy Donald Trump and pick Ingoglia over Trump's endorsed candidate ... Trump will probably view this as an act of disloyalty,' Florida House Democratic Leader FENTRICE DRISKELL said in a statement. Former CFO ALEX SINK, who was also the 2010 Democratic nominee for governor, said she has been reaching out to people she thinks would be strong candidates to gauge their interest. 'We need a CFO in this state who can hold our politicians accountable,' she said. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ and @leonardkl. WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis will speak at the Teacher of the Year event in Orlando at 9:30 a.m. (Watch on the Florida Channel.) ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... TODAY — Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. in Tampa about updated federal recommendations for healthy children regarding Covid-19 vaccines using mRNA technology. — Arek Sarkissian FLORIDA SAYS NO RUSH — State officials are pushing back against environmental groups urgently asking a federal judge to halt work underway at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in the Everglades. But a hearing in the case may not come soon: The case was reassigned to Judge Kathleen M. Williams after Judge Jose E. Martinez on Wednesday recused himself. After environmental groups on July 11 filed an expedited motion for a ruling on their June 27 request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order, lawyers for state Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie told the court the groups don't have a right to tell judges how to proceed. — Bruce Ritchie NEXT STEPS ON DETENTION FACILITIES — DeSantis 'won't consider building another temporary detention facility at the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center until the one in the Everglades reaches capacity,' reports Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. APPEAL FILED — The Louisiana company whose request to drill for oil along the Apalachicola River set off a political firestorm last year is taking its legal case to a state appeals court. Clearwater Land & Minerals filed a notice of appeal Tuesday challenging the state's decision to deny an exploratory drilling permit in June after a state judge recommended against it in April. — Bruce Ritchie BLACKOUT THREAT — 'A consultant hired by Florida Power & Light warned that without adding battery storage capacity included in its request to hike rates by roughly $9 billion, customers are highly likely to experience a rolling blackout next year,' reports Emily L. Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times. — 'Peanut farm that sought 700 acres of Florida state forest withdraws plan,' reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. — 'New schools commissioner delivers fiery speech to the state Board of Education,' by Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. PENINSULA AND BEYOND TRIAL SET — Jury selection is expected to start the week of Nov. 3 for the trial of PHOENIX IKNER, the student charged with carrying out a mass shooting at Florida State University's campus in April, reports Kate Payne of The Associated Press. — 'UWF enters new chapter under Interim President Manny Diaz. Here are his priorities,' by Mary Lett of the Pensacola News Journal. — 'Orange County rejects plan for local jail staff to transport ICE detainees to Alligator Alcatraz,' by McKenna Schueler of Orlando Weekly. CAMPAIGN MODE PALM BEACH DREAMS — Republicans are aiming to have more registered Republicans in the county than Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms, reports Antonio Fins of the Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach County GOP Chair CARL CASCIO said the party wanted to flip FL-23, the seat held by Democratic Rep. JARED MOSKOWITZ, who is also on the target list for the National Republican Congressional Committee. He also raised the seat of Democratic Rep. LOIS FRANKEL, which is not considered competitive in the Cook Political Report ranking. Correction: Wednesday's Playbook misidentified Moskowitz's fundraising in the second quarter. It was over $351,000. INGOGLIA'S SEAT — Republican Dr. RALPH MASSULLO, a physician, filed paperwork Wednesday to run in state Senate District 11, for the seat Ingoglia has held ahead of becoming chief financial officer. DeSantis endorsed Massullo, a former state representative, in a post on X. The governor's endorsement is notable: Three years ago, DeSantis endorsed Ingoglia instead of Massullo for the state Senate, a move that resulted in Massullo almost immediately dropping out. Massullo at the time was seen as Senate Republican's preferred candidate. The fundraising and political arm of Senate Republicans — the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee — announced Wednesday it was endorsing Massullo as Ingoglia's replacement. DeSantis has not yet set a date for the special election. — Gary Fineout TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Advocacy groups have filed an ethics complaint against a Florida judge in the state and in Washington, citing POLITICO reporting that he was lobbying for a federal judgeship while considering arguments in a defamation case filed by Trump. Demand Progress and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed the complaint against ED ARTAU, a Fourth District Court of Appeal judge, with the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The US Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on his nomination to be a US district court judge in Southern Florida on Thursday. 'Recent news reporting suggests that Judge Artau may have engaged in improper dealings to secure his judicial nomination in exchange for authoring judicial opinions which personally benefit President Trump to the detriment of everyone else's First Amendment rights,' the groups wrote. Last month, POLITICO reported Artau had already met with the Senate to discuss a potential seat on the federal bench by the time he wrote an opinion in Trump's defamation case against the Pulitzer Prize board, related to its award over coverage of Russian election interference and ties to the Trump campaign. In Artau's opinion, he blasted the 'fake news' and called for the overturning of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the landmark Supreme Court decision that made it more difficult for public officials to sue media organizations for libel. He also sat on a three-judge panel that allowed the case to proceed. 'As public interest organizations, we are deeply concerned by the allegations against Judge Artau and the implications for the judiciary,' the groups wrote. 'We therefore ask you to investigate Judge Artau's conduct for compliance with the ethics rules enforced by your respective offices.' — Hailey Fuchs TODAY — About 50 anti-Trump 'Good Trouble' protests are scheduled across Florida, report Lianna Norman and Samantha Neely of USA TODAY NETWORK — Florida. They're organized by many of the same groups that led the 'No King' protests and are being done in recognition of the late Rep. JOHN LEWIS (D-Ga.). JUST INTRODUCED — At least 29 Democrats in Congress have signed onto legislation reintroduced Wednesday that would regulate fundraising around presidential libraries, just as Trump's team has been scoping out options to build in Florida. Moskowitz co-led the effort on the House side, calling the current system a 'black box' that needed 'commonsense ethics rules.' The bill would ban fundraising for libraries while presidents are in office, with the exception of nonprofits, as well as put a $10,000 cap on what organizations can contribute. It would mandate regular reporting and prohibit donations from foreign nationals or governments for two years after a president leaves office. DATELINE D.C. BIDEN HEALTH PROBE — Rep. BYRON DONALDS on Wednesday called for former first lady JILL BIDEN and former Vice President KAMALA HARRIS to testify to Congress about former President JOE BIDEN's mental acuity. The comments from Donalds, who's on the House Oversight Committee, come as the former first lady's chief of staff refused to answer questions during closed-door testimony Wednesday morning. 'Every member of the Biden Administration at this point needs to be subpoenaed,' Donalds told reporters. 'I don't care if they were a secretary. I don't care if they were a janitor working in there. They all gotta come in and answer questions for this Committee.' ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: USA Today Network — Florida's Ana Goñi-Lessan ... former state Rep. J.C. Planas.
