Florida political events for week of September 10th

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Sept. 10, 2012…..Democrats return to Florida this week after a week in Charlotte's web, attending their national convention and agreeing to nominate President Obama for re-election. 

Both parties get back to serious campaigning with weeks to go to the November election. Obama actually will get that campaigning going this weekend, with a planned trip to the Tampa Bay area starting Saturday.

Lawmakers are back in Tallahassee for one day this week – well, some of them – for the meeting of the Legislative Budget Commission.

MONDAY, SEPT. 10, 2012

ALF OVERSIGHT DISCUSSED: The Assisted Living Workgroup will discuss issues such as the regulation and oversight of assisted-living facilities and efforts to ensure well-being of ALF residents. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

NUKE HEARING HEATS UP: The state Public Service Commission will hold a hearing about whether Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida should be able to pass along costs to customers for nuclear-power projects. The companies are seeking to collect a total of nearly $300 million from customers in 2013 for the projects. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

MISSING CHILDREN’S DAY: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Gov. Rick Scott mark Missing Children’s Day at the Capitol. During a formal ceremony in the Capitol Courtyard, awards will be given to those who work to find missing children. (Monday, 10 a.m., Courtyard, The Capitol.)

PARASAILING LEGISLATION: Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach holds a news conference with Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher to discuss legislation she plans aimed at improving the safety of commercial parasailing operations.  (Monday, 2 p.m., Pompano Beach City Hall, 100 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach.)

CAMPAIGNS

CD 9: LONG HOLDS PRESSER: Republican House District 9 candidate Todd Long holds a news conference to “combat the lies” of his Democratic opponent Alan Grayson and to challenge Grayson to three debates. (Monday, 10 a.m, Osceola County Social Security Office, 1201 E. Oak St., Kissimmee.)

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2012

Tuesday marks the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C.

NUKE HEARING CONTINUES: The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to continue a hearing about whether Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida should be able to pass along costs to customers for nuclear-power projects. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

AMBASSADOR KATZ SPEAKS AT ECONOMIC CLUB: U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Allan Katz speaks Tuesday at the Economic Club of Florida in Tallahassee. The topic is “From Ground Zero on the Euro Crisis: What it looks like from here and how it is affecting America.” Katz is a lawyer from Tallahassee, and former city commissioner there from 2003-2009. He was appointed ambassador to the Iberian nation by President Barack Obama. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, A2-A3, Tallahassee.)

INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Independent Living Services Advisory Council, aimed at helping youth in foster care and young adults who have aged out of the foster care system, holds its first meeting. The panel, created by Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins will determine what legislative changes may be needed to help children transition out of foster care and into adulthood, and what services those young adults may need. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., DCF Headquarters, 1317 Winewood Blvd., Bldg 1, Tallahassee.)

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS OF 9/11: Broward Bulldog and Boardroom Communications host a discussion with former Sen. Bob Graham on the “Unanswered Questions of 9/11. Graham, who was the co-chairman of Congress’ joint inquiry into the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, has called for a re-examination of the case, and will discuss questions about Saudi Arabia’s potential involvement. Graham will also discuss his book, “Keys to the Kingdom.” Admission to the lecture is $30. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, 1 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)http://browardbulldog.eventbrite.com/

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2012

STAND YOUR GROUND IN WEST PALM: The Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection, set up following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in February, holds its fourth public hearing to discuss the state’s stand your ground law and take input from the public.  The task force will meet in the morning, with public testimony beginning at 1 p.m. The Florida Channel will have a live stream of the meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

OIL SPILL PANEL MEETS: The Florida Commission on Oil Spill Response Coordination, which was formed after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and is required to submit a report to Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature by Jan. 1., will meet in Northwest Florida. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., CDT, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E., Fort Walton Beach.)

NUKE HEARING CONTINUES: The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to continue a hearing about whether Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida should be able to pass along costs to customers for nuclear-power projects. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

LBC CONSIDERS FISCAL OUTLOOK, HEALTH PRIVATIZATION: The Legislative Budget Commission will receive a draft financial outlook that shows the state likely will not face a budget shortfall during the 2013-14 year. Also, the panel could clear the way for the Florida Department of Corrections to contract with two companies to provide health services in the state’s prisons. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

VOTING REFORMS DISCUSSED IN DC: National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, U.S. Rep. David Price, Democratic National Committee General Counsel Robert Bauer and Bob Carey, former director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program, discuss “The Impact of Voting Reforms in the 2012 Elections.” (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., National Association of Realtors headquarters, 500 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.)

BOG COMMITTEE WEIGHS FAMU PLAN: The Board of Governors Strategic Planning Committee will weigh changes to several universities' plans for the future, especially the one crafted for Florida A&M University, which came under heavy criticism at the last board meeting. The State University System Task Force and the board's Academic and Student Affairs Committee also meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers)

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13, 2012

BOG CONSIDERS BUDGET REQUESTS: The Florida Board of Governors is expected to take up legislative budget requests, confirm the interim president of Florida A&M University and approve regulations dealing with the reporting of child abuse following a new state law during a set of committee and full board meetings. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers)

STAND YOUR GROUND IN CUTLER BAY: The Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection, set up following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in February, holds its fifth public hearing to discuss the state’s stand your ground law and take input from the public.   The task force will meet in the morning, with public testimony beginning at 1 p.m. (Thursday, 9 a.m., South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 St. Cutler Bay.)

NUKE HEARING CONTINUES: The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to continue a hearing about whether Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida should be able to pass along costs to customers for nuclear-power projects. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

PANEL TALKS ABOUT HEALTH CARE DATA: The State Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council will discuss issues related to public reporting of health data. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

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

CHARTING PATH ON GREENWAYS AND TRAILS: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways and Trails will hold an open house about developing a new plan for the state greenways and trails system. (Thursday, 4 p.m., CDT, Panama City Beach Senior Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach.)

CAMPAIGNS

HD 49: JOE SAUNDERS RECEPTION: Orange County Democrats and trial lawyer John Morgan hold a fundraising reception for House District 49 candidate Joe Saunders at the home of former state Democratic Party Chairman Bob Poe.  (Thursday, 6 p.m., 150 E. Robinson St., Orlando.)