Florida Political Events Calendar for Week of September 24, 2012

By the News Service of Florida

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

GULF ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM: Gulf Power hosts a two-day economic symposium this week in Destin, focused on economic development in the Panhandle region. Guest speakers including Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Monday, and Florida Commerce Secretary Gray Swoope on Tuesday. The full agenda is here: http://www.gulfpower.com/symposium/pdfs/agenda-2012.pdf. (Monday, Tuesday, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Destin.)

POLYTECH BOARD TO MEET: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will meet to discuss issues related to the state’s newest university. (Monday, 10 a.m., One Poly Place, 439 South Florida Ave., Lakeland.)

HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROBED: The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet and the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights will hold a summit about the problem of human trafficking. (Monday, 1 p.m., Turnbull Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

ALFS DISCUSSED: The Assisted Living Workgroup will hold a conference call to continue discussing possible improvements in the oversight and regulation of assisted living facilities. (Monday, 2 p.m. Conference call: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 625 643 6859.)

CAMPAIGNS

MACK BUS TOUR CONTINUES: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack makes several stops on his campaign bus tour:
10 a.m., Jacksonville Victory Office, 4963 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville.
12:45 p.m., Buck's Gun Rack, 12:45 p.m., 607 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
3:45 p.m., Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, 1005 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne.
5:30 p.m., Campaign Event with Dave Weldon, Brevard County Victory Office, 6767 N. Wickham Rd., Suite B101, Melbourne.
7:30 p.m., Dairy Queen, 3728 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

BOARD OF ED TO EXTEND COMMISSIONER SEARCH: The Florida Board of Education will hold an emergency conference call to consider extending an application deadline in its search for a new education commissioner. The deadline was originally for Sept. 27. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. Conference call: 1-866-372-5781. Code: 32451122.)

NOPETRO EVENT: Nopetro and Leon County Schools celebrate the grand opening of Nopetro’s Tallahassee natural gas fueling station, part of a planned network of stations across the state. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the state’s top energy official, will speak at the event. Other speakers will include Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons, Nopetro CEO Jorge Herrera and Leticia Adams, energy policy director for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 440 Capital Circle NW, Tallahassee.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION DISCUSSED: The Department of Environmental Protection will hold open houses about developing a new plan for the state greenways and trails system and developing a new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Sarasota County Public Works, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota.)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS PANEL TO MEET: The Commission on Florida Higher Education Access and Degree Attainment, which was created to look at issues such as capacity in the university system, will meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 601 Bayshore Blvd., Suite 850, Tampa.)

BOCA MEETING ON GREENWAYS AND TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION: The Department of Environmental Protection will hold open houses about developing a new plan for the state greenways and trails system and developing a new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton.)

PAROLE COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Parole Commission meets to review cases.(Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

GAETZ' 'NEIGHBORHOOD DAY' IN DEFUNIAK: Incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, holds "neighborhood day," basically open office hours in DeFuniak Springs. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., CDT, Chautauqua Building, 96 Circle Dr., DeFuniak Springs.)

ALF OVERSIGHT AT ISSUE: The Assisted Living Workgroup will hold a conference call to continue discussing possible improvements in the oversight and regulation of assisted living facilities. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Conference Call:1-888-670-3525. Code: 625 643 6859.)

SUPREME COURT: The Florida Supreme Court issues opinions. (11 a.m.)

REGULATORS CONSIDER FPL RATE SETTLEMENT: The state Public Service Commission will consider a proposed settlement in a controversial case about whether Florida Power & Light should be able to raise base electric rates. FPL reached the proposed settlement with some large electricity users, though the state’s Office of Public Counsel and the Florida Retail Federation are fighting the proposal. This hearing also could continue Friday. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

CAMPAIGNS

AL LAWSON FUNDRAISER: Democratic candidate for CD 2 Al Lawson holds a fundraiser. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Mint Lounge, 215 W. College Ave., Tallahassee.)