CALENDAR PREVIEW: WEEK OF OCTOBER 23, 2011

By The News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…..With lawmakers taking a break next week before returning again Halloween week, the news in state government will be dominated by regulatory agencies and courts. Gov. Rick Scott returns from a Brazil trip, and at the end of the week Democrats decamp to Orlando for their annual convention, which features Vice President Joe Biden. 

On the regulatory calendar, the Public Service Commission has a high profile and closely watched issue before it on Monday as it deals with who will pay how much for nuclear power. 

There are two high profile cases in a Tallahassee circuit court this week, with a lawsuit over the new pension pay-in requirement for state workers and the so-called "Blaine Amendment" spelling out the dividing line between state money and religious institutions the subjects of hearings in separate lawsuits this week. 

Policy wonks would be happier in Orlando than Tallahassee this week with a major gathering of stakeholders talking about energy policy. The Department of Agriculture is hosting the energy summit, with a policy speech by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and several panel discussions with key players in that field. Among them is PSC Commissioner Art Graham, and several other government and industry officials. 

MONDAY, OCT. 24, 2011

NUKE COSTS DECIDED: The Public Service Commission will consider requests by Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida to pass along about $337 million in costs to customers next year for nuclear-power projects. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

HOME GROWN FOOD AT SCHOOLS: In an attempt to show school lunches are more than tater tots and pizza, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will kick off “Florida Grown School Lunch Week” to highlight the foods grown in Florida used in school lunches. The event will have culinary demonstrations by staff who work with growers and schools and some examples of school lunches. (Monday, 10 am, Courtyard, The Capitol.) 
BP, LONG TERM REVENUE FORECASTS: The Revenue Estimating Conference will continue discussing the economic impact on Florida of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Following their spill and claims discussion, forecasters will look at the state's long range revenue picture. (Monday, 1 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, OCT. 25, 2011

MEDICAID MULLED: The state Medical Care Advisory Committee will meet to discuss Medicaid issues. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee.)

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26, 2011

COURT HEARING ON PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS: The Florida Education Association and other union groups will argue at a Second Judicial Circuit Court hearing that the mandatory 3 percent contributions required by Florida Retirement System participants are unconstitutional. Judge Jackie Fulford will hear the high-profile case that pits unions against the Republican political leadership. Lead attorney Ron Meyer will argue against attorneys representing the state that requiring employees to put 3 percent of their salaries towards their pensions violates the state constitution’s right to collectively bargain. The law will lead to state and local government workers contributing about $800 million a year toward their retirement accounts. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Courtroom 2F, Second Judicial Circuit Court, 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee.)

TRANSPORTATION: PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: Florida Department of Transportation and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise will host a forum to discuss funding ideas with potential private sector partners. The agencies say they're trying to identify ways that Turnpike projects can be delivered faster, more efficiently, and cheaper; find new sources of revenue in addition to tolling and otherwise lower Turnpike costs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando.)

REVENUE ESTIMATORS LOOK AT IMPACTS: The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold an Impact Conference to discuss the costs of legislation. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

MORE THAN LIP SERVICE?: The Low Income Pool Council will discuss the $1 billion program that funnels money to hospitals and other health providers that serve low-income and uninsured patients. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee.)

BROGAN SPEAKS AT STEM SUMMIT: State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan will speak about how state universities are responding to the call for more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees at the Florida STEM summit, hosted by the Career and Technical Foundation. Several Florida companies will be at the summit to discuss how colleges and universities are working toward producing graduates that match workforce needs. STEM is a hot topic lately, with Gov. Rick Scott jumping on board with businesses to push for more STEM graduates from Florida universities and colleges. The conference is on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Brogan speaks Wednesday. (11:15 a.m., Wednesday, Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.)

FLORIDA ENERGY SUMMIT: The Florida Energy Summit, hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture, kicks off Wednesday afternoon with opening remarks from Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, and then a panel on green jobs, and another on water use that features Syd Kitson, the developer of Babcock Ranch, Former Community Affairs Secretary Billy Buzzett, and Lykes Brothers Vice President Joe Collins. There's also a panel on Farm to Fuel – the effort to boost production of crops for fuel – and another on local governments. The summit continues on Thursday. The agenda is at: http://www.floridaenergysummit.com/summit/agenda.html. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando.)

ESCAMBIA DELEGATION: Members of the Escambia County state legislative delegation hold a public hearing Wednesday evening to take public comments on proposals that will be before lawmakers, or should be, next year. The delegation is Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf Breeze, Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. (5:30 p.m., CDT, Pensacola City Hall, Hagler Mason Conference Room, 222 W. Main St., Pensacola.)

KEYS STATE PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS: The Florida Park Service holds a public meeting to present management plans for state parks in the Keys. Under consideration are plans for Indian Key Historic State Park, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. The plans can be found at http://bit.ly/pXO7jL. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Monroe County Public Library, 81830 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.)


THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 2011

PUTNAM SPEAKS AT ENERGY SUMMIT: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam outlines a vision for future energy production in Florida at the second day of the Florida Energy Summit. Also on the summit agenda for Thursday is a panel on state energy policy that includes state Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland; PSC Chairman Art Graham; Mary Bane, energy policy advisor to the governor, and Jim Murley, interim executive director of the South Florida Regional Planning Council. There are other panels on renewables generally, as well as solar, alternative vehicles and other issues. The agenda is at: http://www.floridaenergysummit.com/summit/agenda.html
(Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando.)

SUPREME COURT OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court releases its regular opinions. (11 a.m.)

COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS ON CHURCH AND STATE SEPARATION: Lawyers for public school advocates and religious leaders will argue a ballot measure that would allow the state to funnel money to religious institutions is misleading in a hearing at the Second Judicial Circuit Court before Judge Jackie Fulford. Groups such as the Florida Education Association, the teacher’s union, argue it is designed to promote a big expansion of private school vouchers. The proposed constitutional change, known as Amendment 7, would delete a line in the state constitution that prohibits the state from using taxpayer dollars to "aid in any church, sect or religious denomination." Amendment 7 would then insert a line that says the government cannot deny an individual or group the "benefits of any program, funding or other support on the basis of religious identity or belief." The lawsuit was filed against Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning. (Thursday, 3 p.m., Second Judicial Circuit Court, 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee.)


FRIDAY, OCT. 28, 2011

DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION: The Florida Democratic Party will hold its 2011 state convention in Orlando from Friday, October 28 – Sunday, October 30, 2011. Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham will rally with supporters at the Disney Contemporary Resort. Democrats will also award former Gov. Reubin O’D. Askew with a Lifetime Achievement award for a legacy of leadership. (Friday-Sunday, Disney Contemporary Resort – Fantasia Ballroom, 4600 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista.)


CAMPAIGNS

PERRY IN ST. PETE BEACH WEDNESDAY: Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry holds a $2,500 VIP reception Wednesday morning followed by a $1,000 breakfast. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Trade Winds Island Grand Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.)