The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – September 15, 2014

By the News Service of Florida

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

THRASHER MEETS WITH FSU GROUPS: Finalists to become president of Florida State University will start taking part in a series of forums with staff, faculty, students and the community. Finalist John Thrasher, a state senator from St. Augustine, will participate in the forums Monday and will be followed later in the week by the other three finalists. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

CASTOR TO DISCUSS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., will hold a media availability to discuss expansion of legal services for victims of domestic violence. (Monday, 10 a.m., The Spring Boutique, 3418 West Swann Ave., Tampa.)

PSC TO CONSIDER RATE CASE: The Public Service Commission will start a hearing on a proposed rate increase for Florida Public Utilities Co., which provides electricity to about 31,000 customers in the state. (Monday, 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

GRAHAM TO SPEAK TO NORTH FLORIDA DEMS: Former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, joined by his daughter, congressional candidate Gwen Graham, is expected to speak to the Democratic Club of North Florida. (Monday, 7 p.m., LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 West Park Ave., Tallahassee.)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW AT ISSUE: The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments about a controversial medical-malpractice law approved in 2013 by Florida lawmakers. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle last year struck down part of the law dealing with what are known as "ex parte communications" in malpractice lawsuits. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., United States Courthouse, 300 North Hogan St., Jacksonville.)

COURT CONSIDERS COLLEGE TENURE CASE: The 1st District Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear a challenge to a judge's ruling that that could make it harder for state-college instructors to receive and keep tenure-like contracts. The United Faculty of Florida has contended the state Board of Education overstepped its authority in approving a rule that set new guidelines for tenure-like "continuing" contracts at state colleges. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC BOARD TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will discuss issues such as a resolution outlining the powers and duties of the president of the new university. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Passcode: 5656664913#.)

WHEATLY MEETS WITH FSU GROUPS: Finalists to become president of Florida State University will continue taking part in a series of forums with staff, faculty, students and the community. Tuesday is set aside for finalist Michele Wheatly, a former West Virginia University provost. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

CAPTAIN CITRUS UNVEILED: The Florida Department of Citrus will unveil the redesigned comic-book character "Captain Citrus." (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Heroes' Haven Comics, 4339 Gunn Highway, Tampa.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Brevard counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Acreage Branch Library, 15801 Orange Blvd., Loxahatchee. Also, 10 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 11:30 a.m., Florida Institute of Technology, Panther Dining Hall, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne.)

SOBEL HOSTS TOWN HALL ON POT AMENDMENT: State Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, will host a town-hall meeting that will include debate about a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Broward College South Campus, Performing Cultural Arts Theatre, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines.)

PUTNAM TO SPEAK TO PROPERTY RIGHTS GROUP: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is expected to be the keynote speaker during a Coalition for Property Rights forum. (Tuesday, noon, The Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Dr., Orlando.)

SOUTHWEST WATER DISTRICT DIGS INTO BUDGET: The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a hearing about a tentative 2014-15 budget. (Tuesday, 5:01 p.m., Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

MANAGED CARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISCUSSED: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will host two meetings that will include groups such as Medicaid managed-care plans, behavioral health providers and assisted-living administrators. The second meeting is aimed at finding ways to improve the provision of behavioral-health services to Medicaid beneficiaries in managed care. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

JUSTICES TO HEAR APPEAL IN PRISON GUARD MURDER: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including an appeal by Death Row inmate Dwight Eaglin, who was convicted of murdering Charlotte Correctional Institution Officer Darla Lathrem during an escape attempt in 2003. Eaglin also was convicted of killing fellow prisoner Charles Fuston. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

CABINET AIDES TO MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater are scheduled to meet to discuss issues in advance of a Sept. 23 state Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

COMMISSION ON OFFENDER REVIEW TO MEET: The Florida Commission on Offender Review, formerly known as the Florida Parole Commission, will consider numerous cases involving felonies committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

CITRUS COMMISSION TO MEET: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet in Polk County and is expected to discuss issues such as domestic and international marketing. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

MARTIN MEETS WITH FSU GROUPS: Finalists to become president of Florida State University will continue taking part in a series of forums with staff, faculty, students and the community. Wednesday is set aside for finalist Michael Martin, chancellor of the Colorado State University System. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

COMMITTEES TAKE UP UNIVERSITY ISSUES: Committees of the state university system's Board of Governors will hold a series of meetings and consider issues such as updated information about the new Florida Polytechnic University. (Wednesday, meetings start at 9:30 a.m., University of West Florida, Pensacola.)

DEEPWATER HORIZON FUNDS DISCUSSED: The Gulf Consortium will meet and discuss issues related to the use of money from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Sandestin Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach.)

SHELDON TO RAISE MONEY IN ORLANDO: Lawmakers and other Orlando-area Democratic leaders are scheduled to host a fundraising reception for attorney-general candidate George Sheldon. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., The Sanctuary, 100 South Eola Dr., Orlando.)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

DEATH PENALTY CASES GO TO SUPREME COURT: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including appeals by Death Row inmates Pinkney Carter, who was convicted of killing three people in 2002 in Duval County, and Gerhard Hojan, who was convicted of killing two people in 2002 in Broward County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect Florida’s military installations and missions, will meet. (9 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 101 South Adams St., Tallahassee.).)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Miami-Dade, Sarasota and Manatee counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Miami-Dade County Public Library West Flagler Branch, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami. Also, 10 a.m., Sarasota County Administration, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Also, 2 p.m., Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach.)

BOARD OF GOVERNORS DISCUSS BUDGET ISSUES: The university system's Board of Governors will meet and take up several issues, including the system's 2015-16 legislative budget request. Two committees will meet earlier in the day. (Thursday, 10:45 a.m. of upon completion of the earlier meetings, University of West Florida, Pensacola.)

SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

JUSTICES CONSIDER REDISTRICTING DOCUMENTS: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether a Republican consulting firm's records should have been used in a recent trial about congressional redistricting. Consultant Pat Bainter appealed a ruling that allowed some of his records to be used in a case that found lawmakers in 2012 violated the state's constitutional ban on political gerrymandering. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

MARCHASE MEETS WITH FSU GROUPS: A finalist to become president of Florida State University will take part in a series of forums with staff, faculty, students and the community. Friday is set aside for finalist Richard Marchase, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

JOBS NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release August unemployment figures. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

BONDI, LOPEZ-CANTERA AT VOLUSIA GOP EVENT: Attorney General Pam Bondi and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera are slated to speak at the Volusia County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner. (Friday, 7 p.m., Daytona Beach Resort & Convention Center, 2700 North Atlantic Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing contributions and expenditures through Sept. 12.

SAVINGS START ON ENERGY-CONSERVING APPLIANCES: Florida will start a three-day "sales tax holiday" on certain energy-efficient appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014

NELSON TO SPEAK AT HILLSBOROUGH DEMS EVENT: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is expected to be a keynote speaker at the Hillsborough County Democratic Party's Kennedy-King Dinner & Rally. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Hilton Tampa Downtown, 211 North Tampa St., Tampa.)

GRANHOLM TO SPEAK AT PALM BEACH DEMS EVENT: Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will be a keynote speaker at the Palm Beach County Democratic Party's annual Truman-Kennedy-Johnson Dinner. (Saturday, 6 p.m., West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.)