TAMPA, Fla. -- Groups from all over Florida are planning rallies Tuesday as the Legislature's session starts.

The Florida Legislature opens its 2011 session today, and it's shaping up to be a loud and confrontational time. Republicans carry a better than two-to-one majority in the Legislature. They may have big debates within the party over what to cut and how deeply.

Then there are the Democrats, who say the state is already struggling to meet its obligations to its people without any cuts.

Dozens of rallies were planned across Florida to protest broad budget cuts and push to protect unions.

"I really think they are after the corporate bottom line," said Lance King, who took the day off from work to protest in Tallahassee.

Gov. Rick Scott wants to trim state spending by $5 billion and phase in property and corporate tax cuts.

Republican Mike Hogan has earned the endorsement of one of the most politically active groups in Duval County. The First Coast Tea Party, with 10,000 members, has formally endorsed Hogan for mayor of Jacksonville.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Gov. Rick Scott's eyes widened a bit when asked about a possible presidential run in 2012.

But when asked what he had to say about the idea after speaking at the Florida 2011 Rural Summit at the World Golf Village Friday, Scott did not rule it out.

"I just got elected," said Scott.  "I think, what, I've been here six weeks?  So my goal is, I ran on a seven step to 700,000 jobs and my goal is to get the state back to work."

The question has been batted around by political experts in several different arenas, from newspapers to radio to television.

Scott's recent decision to turn down $2.4 billion in federal dollars for a high speed rail line from Orlando to Tampa also raised eyebrows. The governor has not been quiet about his opposition to current leaders' spending.