Florida’s Political Events Calendar for Week of August 27, 2012

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…..The Republican National Convention starts Monday, though 50,000 or so people are expected to arrive over the weekend in Tampa for the start of the gathering to nominate Willard Mitt Romney as the party's presidential candidate.

Most of the political attention this week will be there, though official Florida will also have one eye on Tropical Storm Isaac, which while headed into the Gulf of Mexico could threaten the Keys over the weekend and the Panhandle later in the week. 

The convention advances are separately listed below the main advance section below. 

MONDAY, AUG. 27

FPL HEARING CONTINUES: The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to resume a hearing about a Florida Power & Light request to raise base rates by as much as $690.4 million. The hearing, scheduled to last two weeks, started Aug. 20. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN: The National Federation of Republican Women has scheduled its fall board of directors meeting in Tampa, since most members would be there for the Republican National Convention starting Monday. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation, Tampa.)

PERRY AT LEON COUNTY GOP REAGAN DAY: Any Republicans left in Tallahassee this week can go to the Leon County Republican Party’s Reagan Day fundraiser dinner, featuring Texas Gov. Rick Perry. (Monday, 6 p.m., University Center Club, Tallahassee.)

CAMPAIGNS 

BIDEN TO CAMPAIGN IN FLORIDA: Vice President Joe Biden will campaign in Florida on Monday and Tuesday, including a stop in Tampa, as Republicans are meeting there for their national convention. Details on locations and times are expected to be released later.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012

HOSPITAL PAYMENT CHANGES DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a workshop about revamping the way hospitals get paid to care for Medicaid patients. The changes involve going to a system of what are known as diagnosis related groups, or DRGs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

DOT FREIGHT MOBILITY: The Florida Department of Transportation gets public input on freight movement needs for consideration in future infrastructure development. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Southwest Fla. International Airport Training and Conference Center, 15924 Air Cargo Lane, Fort Myers.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012

LIP GETS SOME TALK: The Low Income Pool (LIP) Council will meet to discuss the program that funnels additional money to hospitals and other health providers that serve large numbers of poor and uninsured Floridians. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

USF VETERANS ACHIEVEMENT CENTER: The University of South Florida will formally open its new Veterans Achievement Center, a gathering and study space designed to support the student veterans enrolled at the Tampa campus. USF President Judy Genshaft will host the dedication of the 3,000 square foot center in the John and Grace Allen Building. Special guests from the Birdies for the Brave Tampa Bay Foundation, as well as military, community and campus dignitaries will join USF students for the event. (Thursday, 12 p.m., John and Grace Allen Building, University of South Florida, Tampa.)\

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 

MONDAY, AUGUST 27 - FLORIDA DELEGATION EVENTSDELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation has breakfast hosted by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The speaker will be announced later. (Monday, 8 a.m., Inverness Building Ballroom A, 36750 US Hwy 19 North, Palm Harbor.)

OTHER EVENTSAMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS LUNCH: Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.), and Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll speak. (Monday, 12 p.m., InterContinental Hotel Tampa, Bayshore Ballroom, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)AMERICAN ACTION FORUM PANEL ON HEALTH CARE: Health-care industry officials will take part in a panel titled, “Health Care: The Way Forward.” (Monday, 1 p.m., InterContinental Hotel Tampa, Bayshore Ballroom, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

AMERICAN ACTION FORUM PANEL ON JOB CREATION: Florida U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent is among the panelists who will discuss overcoming barriers to job creation. (Monday, 2 p.m.,  InterContinental Hotel, BayShore Ballroom, 4860 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.) FRONTIERS OF FREEDOM HONORS GROVER NORQUIST: American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas, NRA President David Keene and Frontiers of Freedom President George Landrith host an event honoring Grover Norquist. (Monday, 4 p.m., Liberty Plaza, 180 S. Morgan St., Tampa.)RICE, MARTINEZ AT SGLF EDUCATION EVENT: Former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Incoming Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford attend the State Government Leadership Foundation and SunPAC’s Education Reform Event. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has also been invited, as has Miami-Dade schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho. (Monday, 8:30 p.m., The Cuban Club, 2010 14 Ave., Tampa.)

FLOOR SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS (BEGINNING, MONDAY, 2 P.M.)Chairman of the RNC Reince PriebusRNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day of FloridaTampa Mayor Bob BuckhornConvention Chief Executive Officer William HarrisChairman of Tampa Bay Host Committee Al AustinHouse Speaker John BoehnerRoll Call for nomination for presidential nomineeFLOOR SCHEDULE EVENING SESSION HIGHLIGHTS (BEGINNING MONDAY, 7:45 P.M.)House Speaker John BoehnerWelcoming Remarks, Gov. Rick Scott (weather permitting)Former Fla. Gov. Jeb BushU.S. Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)Artur DavisTexas U.S. Senate candidate Ted CruzSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki HaleyFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 - FLORIDA DELEGATION EVENTSDELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation has breakfast hosted by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The speaker will be announced later. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Inverness Building Ballroom A, 36750 US Hwy 19 North, Palm Harbor.)

OTHER EVENTSBUCKHORN TOUTS TAMPA: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will take part in a roundtable discussion about economic development in Tampa. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Holland and Knight, 100 North Tampa St., Suite 4100, Tampa.)ANTI-ABORTION RECEPTION: Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the Republican National Coalition for Life, and Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins will honor Rep. Louie Gohmert, Sen. Rick Santorum, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Gov. Rick Perry for their anti-abortion advocacy. Rep. Allen West will also attend. (Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa.)ROCK THE VOTE ROAD TRIP 2012: The Rock the Vote Road Trip stops at Saint Leo University. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Saint Leo University, 33701 SR 52, St. Leo.)RICK SCOTT AT ECON DEVELOPMENT LUNCH: Gov. Rick Scott discusses economic development as part of the Tampa Bay Host Committee Economic Development Series. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., The Bloomberg Link, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa.)

JMI HOSTS JAMES O'KEEFE AT PRIVATE LUNCH: Undercover conservative activist James O'Keefe, president of Project Veritas, will speak on "citizen journalism," and "exposing" liberal groups like ACORN and Planned Parenthood.  (Tuesday, 12 p.m., 717 South, 717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa.)JEB BUSH SPEAKS ON HISPANIC OUTREACH: Former Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush is the planned keynote speaker at a luncheon and roundtable discussion on Hispanic outreach in the Republican Party. The event is sponsored by the Hispanic Leadership Network and SunPAC, which is chaired by the former governor's son, Jeb Bush, Jr.  Other panel members include New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., , InterContinental Hotel Tampa, Bayshore Ballroom, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)RUBIO AT HISPANIC LEADERSHIP RECEPTION: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is the keynote speaker at the Hispanic Leadership Pre-convention reception, dubbed Tapas, Tequila and Tropical Tunes. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., InterContinental Hotel Tampa, Bayshore Ballroom, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)JEB BUSH AT FUNDRAISER FOR FOUNDATION: The Foundation for Florida’s Future, the think tank associated with former Gov. Jeb Bush, holds a fundraiser at the home of school choice and voucher pioneer John Kirtley and wife Kim. Bush is expected to attend. (Tuesday, Aug. 28, Private residence in Tampa.)RGA RECEPTION FOR GOP GOVS: The Republican Governors Association and BGR Group host a reception for Republican governors headlined by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. (Tuesday, Time TBA, Stumps Supper Club, 615 Channelside Dr., #305, Tampa.)

TUESDAY FLOOR HIGHLIGHTS(Beginning 7:30 p.m.,)Highlights of Tuesday evening’s floor sessionAnn RomneyPuerto Rico First Lady Luce Vela FortunoRick SantorumLouisiana Gov. Bobby JindalNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gives keynote address

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 - FLORIDA DELEGATIONDELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation has breakfast hosted by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The speaker will be announced later. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Inverness Building Ballroom A, 36750 US Hwy 19 North, Palm Harbor.)

MAVERICK PAC MAVBASH: George P. Bush and MavPAC hold MavBash at the RNC, a fundraiser for the PAC, which supports young-ish GOP candidates. How young? Young enough to stay out and attend a fundraiser that starts at 10 p.m. (Wednesday, 10 p.m., Florida Museum of Photographic Art, 400 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa.)RNC VISIONS LUNCHEON: A luncheon hosted by law firm Quarles & Brady honoring African-American Republicans. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and Congressman Allen West. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Avila Country Clubhouse, 943 Guisando De Avila, Tampa.)

FLOOR SESSION (7:30 p.m.)
Speakers on the convention program Wednesday night include: Former Secretary of State Condolezza RiceNew Mexico Gov. Susana MartinezVice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 - FLORIDA DELEGATIONDELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation has breakfast hosted by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The speaker will be announced later. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Inverness Building Ballroom A, 36750 US Hwy 19 North, Palm Harbor.)

OTHER EVENTS THE LIBRE INITIATIVE: U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin, and radio host Myrka Dellanos speak on policy issues affecting the Hispanic Community at the Libre Initiative policy luncheon sponsored by Univision. U.S.Sen. Marco Rubio has also been invited. (Thursday, 12 p.m.., Centre Club, 123 Westshore Blvd., Eighth Floor, Tampa.)CELEBRATION OF PRO-LIFE WOMEN: The “Celebration of Pro-Life Women,” sponsored by Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, includes Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., 615 Channelside, Suite 203, Tampa.)ARPAIO AND ELEPHANTS: Maricopa Co., Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio addresses western state delegates in a closed, private event. (Friday, Time TBA, Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa.)

FLOOR SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTED BY ROMNEY: FLOOR SCHEDULE EVENING SESSION HIGHLIGHTS (BEGINNING THURSDAY, 7:30 P.M.)U.S. Rep. Connie MackU.S. Sen. Marco RubioPresidential Nominee Mitt Romney