Preview of Political events:  Week of December 19, 2011

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE - It's the week before Christmas and all through the House (and the Senate), there's not much going on, nothing happening in it. 

The curtains are drawn for an early session next year, except for the budget which may wait for spring in hopes more money gets here……

You get the picture – it's a bit slow this time of year. It's the week heading into the Christmas holiday and pretty much everyone wants to get out of town, or certainly out of the office. 

Gov. Rick Scott will help with that – he said this week that he's shutting down state government next Friday, not because there's no money (though that's almost true too) but because he wants underpaid state workers to take a day off.

Of course much attention is turned toward Washington, where Congress continues to wrestle over the payroll tax and expiring unemployment benefits. 

And in Tallahassee, there's also (unwanted) attention next week on Florida A&M University, which continues to struggle with a hazing scandal. Its Board of Trustees on Monday will consider whether President James Ammons should temporarily step aside while the investigation goes on. 

But the week might begin with poker. You can play a hand in Gretna starting Saturday night.

MONDAY, DEC. 19, 2011

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: The State Board of Education meets Monday by conference call. The board will hear a report from Commissioner Gerard Robinson on current issues in education and the final report of the Higher Education Coordinating Council, a report which can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/board/meetings/2011_12_19/commreport.pdf. The board will also consider a change to the scale score ranges for the FCAT and end-of-course assessments. Background on that issue, including proposed new scale scores, is at http://www.fldoe.org/board/meetings/2011_12_19/109422.pdf. Another topic before the board is discussion of efforts to increase the use of college classrooms in the evenings and other off-peak hours. Among the possibilities that will be discussed is a requirement that college students take at least one night or weekend course and two on-line courses. (Monday, 8 a.m., Conference Call # (866) 304-6786; Conference ID # 35579481)\

FAMU TRUSTEES: Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday to consider Gov. Rick Scott's suggestion that President James Ammons step aside amid a hazing investigation.(Monday, 9 a.m., For call-in and password info, call (850) 412-5211.)    
SELECT COMMITTEE ON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining holds a hearing to hear from affected parties on their positions on issues at impasse in contract negotiations. (Monday, 12 p.m., 412 Knott Building, The Capitol.)

JULIEN TOWN HALL ON CRIME: Rep. John Patrick Julien, D-North Miami Beach, holds a town hall meeting in Miami to discuss crime and crime prevention. (Monday, 6 p.m., Saint James AME Church, 1845 NW 65 St., Miami.)

TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 2011

SECOND DCA ORAL ARGUMENTS: A three judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal hears regular oral arguments. Cases scheduled for hearing are Lee County Electric Cooperative v. City of Cape Coral; Michelle Burns v. Michael Burns; and Eurotex, the Cabinet Shoppe, v. First Bank. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Courthouse, 1005 East Memorial Blvd., Lakeland.)

PUBLIC HOSPITALS DISCUSSED: The Commission on Review of Taxpayer Funded Hospital Districts will continue discussing whether changes should be made in Florida’s public hospitals. The commission is supposed to finalize recommendations by Jan. 1. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee.)

PANEL LOOKS AT HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET: The Health Insurance Advisory Board will review the 2011 insurance market report and receive an update about federal legislation. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., conference call number, 1-866-200-9760, code number, 4288083#.)


WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21, 2011

CITRUS COMMISSION COMMITTEES: The Florida Citrus Commission's committees hold meetings on Wednesday. The Administration and Budget Committee discusses the financial outlook, and the Economic and Market Research Committee gets an update on orange and grapefruit sales. Other committees meeting Wednesday are the Domestic Marketing Committee, the International Marketing Committee, and the Legal/Government/Regulatory Committee. (Wednesday 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main Street, Bartow.)

EXISTING HOME SALES: The National Association of Realtors and the Florida Association of Realtors release statistics on existing home sales for November. Florida existing home sales in October shot up 13 percent from a year ago as the median price fell. The Realtors also will release data on pending home sales, sales where a contract has been signed, but the sale hasn't closed. (Wednesday, 10 a.m..)

THURSDAY, DEC. 22, 2011

PUBLIC HOSPITAL TALKS CONTINUE: The Commission on Review of Taxpayer Funded Hospital Districts is scheduled to continue discussing whether changes should be made in Florida’s public hospitals. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee.)

SUPREME COURT OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court may release opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

FRIDAY, DEC. 23, 2011

EXTRA PAID DAY OFF: State executive offices, and the House and Senate have given employees a paid day off on Friday. In creating the new Christmas Eve-Eve holiday, Gov. Rick Scott acknowledged it's been a tough year, and money is tight. "This year has been yet another extremely difficult period for many Floridians, including state employees who diligently serve the State of Florida," Scott said in ordering state offices closed the Friday before Christmas. The state Supreme Court is also closed. "God bless us everyone," said Tiny Tim.