Government Digest: April 23 - April 29

Drilling bill draft waits until next year
TALLAHASSEE — A 41-page draft bill laying out how the state might manage oil and gas development in state waters will wait for action at least until next year. Accompanied by a 35-page bill analysis, the legislation won't be taken up by the Senate this session. Instead, the House Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning submitted the bill and analysis to the office of Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, as part of a package of materials from 10 hearings and 26 hours of testimony and discussion.

Weatherford faces primary opposition
TALLAHASSEE — Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, now has a primary opponent in his race to defend his District 61 House seat. Tampa Tea Party activist and small business owner Kevin Wright filed last month to challenge Weatherford in the Republican primary. But with nearly $440,000 in campaign contributions, the chairman of the Education Policy Council and presumptive 2012 House Speaker has a huge fundraising advantage over both challengers. Democrat Elena McCollough of Wesley Chapel, a 24-year Coast Guard veteran, filed to run in January and has raised about $20,400 through March, including a $3,000 loan. Wright raised $144 the first two weeks of his campaign. The district includes much of eastern Pasco County and parts of New Tampa.

Tampa Bay Partnership expands north
TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Partnership is expanding to eight member counties with the addition of Citrus County. The county has been involved with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Both the County Commission and the Citrus County Economic Development Council voted unanimously to join the partnership, which also includes Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.