The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – September 8, 2014

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…..The 2015 legislative session is still six months away. But lawmakers during the coming week will get a glimpse of how much money they could have available next year --- and beyond --- to spend on their favorite programs or to cut taxes. Economist Amy Baker will make a presentation to the Joint Legislative Budget Commission about the state's long-range financial picture.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

MISSING CHILDREN REMEMBERED: The annual Florida Missing Children's Day will be held. (Monday, 10 a.m., Capitol courtyard, Tallahassee.)

WYLLIE TO DISCUSS GUN RIGHTS: Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie is scheduled to speak to the Second Amendment Coalition of Florida. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Tall Tales Restaurant, 100 Gander Way, Palm Beach Gardens.)

FSU TO INTERVIEW PRESIDENT CANDIDATES: Florida State University's Presidential Search Advisory Committee is scheduled to start two days of interviews of applicants. The university is searching for a replacement for former President Eric Barron, who resigned this year to become president of Penn State University.

PARKS CELEBRATE LITERACY: As part of National Literacy Month, state parks will offer free entry Monday to visitors who bring library cards, library books or donate new or "gently used" books.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD TO MEET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board is expected to take up numerous issues, including a discussion of a potential program focused on helping reduce water demands of agriculture. The full board will meet after committee meetings. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. or upon conclusion of committee meetings, district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

SUWANNEE WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

FLORIDA STATE TO INTERVIEW PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: Florida State University's Presidential Search Advisory Committee is expected to continue two days of interviews of applicants. The university is searching for a replacement for former President Eric Barron, who resigned this year to become president of Penn State University.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

CRISAFULLI AT AIF CONFERENCE: Rep. Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who is in line to become House speaker after the November elections, is expected to speak during an Associated Industries of Florida conference. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., JW Marriott Grande Lakes-Orlando, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.)

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.)

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION STARTS MEETING: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will start a two-day meeting that will include issues such as a proposal to allow hunters to use silencers on rifles and pistols when shooting deer and some other types of game. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista South, 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee.)

HEALTH CHOICES AT ISSUE: The Florida Health Choices Board of Directors will meet and discuss the program, which has been envisioned as an online health-care marketplace. (Wednesday, noon, 200 West College Ave., Tallahassee.)

LAWMAKERS TO GET UPDATE ON FINANCES: The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which includes members of the House and Senate, will take up issues involving various agencies and also will receive a presentation about a draft report on the state's long-range financial outlook. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEES TO GATHER: The Florida International University Board of Trustees will take up a series of issues and is expected to hear comments from state university system Chancellor Marshall Criser. The full board will meet after committee meetings earlier in the day. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center Ballrooms, Miami.) 

FAMU TRUSTEES TO MEET: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet after a series of committee meetings earlier in the day. (Wednesday, 3 p.m. or immediately after committee meetings, Florida A&M University Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.)

MORGAN TO DISCUSS MARIJUANA AMENDMENT: Orlando attorney John Morgan, who is spearheading a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana, is scheduled to speak to Alachua County Democrats. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Alachua County Health Department community room, 224 S.E. 24th St., Gainesville.)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

CABINET MEMBERS APPEAR AT AIF CONFERENCE: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater are expected to appear at an Associated Industries of Florida conference. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., JW Marriott Grande Lakes-Orlando, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.)

FAMU TRUSTEES TO MEET: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida A&M University Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD TO MEET: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

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

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to consider issues such as a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for surface-water monitoring. (Thursday, 4 p.m., district headquarters, 81 Water Management Dr., Havana.)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

ETHICS COMMISSION TO MEET: The Florida Commission on Ethics will consider cases from across the state, including a case involving former state lawmaker and Congressman David Rivera. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Statewide candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing contributions and expenditures through Sept. 5.