The Week Ahead in Florida Politics, August 11, 2014

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…..Most lawmakers are rarely seen in the state Capitol in August. But Monday, the House and Senate will be abuzz as lawmakers debate a new congressional redistricting plan. The Legislature was called into special session after a Leon County circuit judge ruled that a 2012 congressional map was unconstitutional. But don't expect the activity to last long --- by mid-week, lawmakers likely will be headed back home to families, jobs and re-election campaigns.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2014

VETERANS TO BE HONORED: A ceremony is scheduled to be held in Jacksonville to present Governor's Veterans Service Awards. (Monday, 10 a.m., Jacksonville National Guard Armory, 9900 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville.)

UNIVERSITIES TO ROLL OUT WORKFORCE PROGRAM: Leaders of the state university system will discuss a new grant program known as Targeted Educational Attainment (TEAm), which is aimed at aligning university and college degrees with the state’s workforce needs. The event is expected to include university system Chancellor Marshall Criser, Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum, Florida State University Interim President Garnett Stokes and state Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio. (Monday, 11 a.m., Challenger Learning Center, 200 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SENATE DEMOCRATS TO MEET: The Senate Democratic Caucus will meet. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE AND SENATE IN SESSION: The House and Senate will take up a proposed congressional redistricting plan. Lawmakers are meeting in a special session after Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled last month that a 2012 congressional map violated anti-gerrymandering requirements of the Florida Constitution. (Monday, noon, House and Senate chambers.)

STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM ANALYZED: The Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference will discuss issues such as a retirement-system experience study. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014

SUWANNEE WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., District Headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

REGULATORS TO CONSIDER FPL SOLAR PLAN: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues, including a proposal that would allow Florida Power & Light customers to voluntarily contribute $9 a month to help pay for solar-energy projects. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

HOUSE AND SENATE IN SESSION: The House and Senate are scheduled to meet to consider a proposed congressional redistricting plan. Lawmakers are meeting in a special session after Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled last month that a 2012 congressional map violated anti-gerrymandering requirements of the Florida Constitution. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., House and Senate chambers.)

VETERANS TO BE HONORED: Ceremonies are scheduled to be held in Sarasota and Crestview to present Governor's Veterans Service Awards. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Sarasota National Guard Armory, 2890 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Also, 2 p.m. Central time, Crestview National Guard Armory, 1518 East James Lee Blvd., Crestview.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD TO MEET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m., or upon completion of earlier committee meetings, District Headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

PSC TO DISCUSS LONG-TERM UTILITY PLANS: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a workshop about electric utilities' 10-year plans for upgrading and modifying their systems to ensure reliability. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUES DISCUSSED: Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Patrick Murphy and Alcee Hastings are expected to take part in a public hearing about Social Security issues. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., West Palm Beach City Commission Chamber, 401 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

MILITARY AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will hold a summit on challenges and opportunities for the state involving the military and defense industry and veterans. Speakers are expected to include U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., state Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, state Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio and state Department of Veterans' Affairs Executive Director Mike Prendergast. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will meet to discuss issues that are expected to be part of a Aug. 19 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

IMMIGRATION REFORM AT ISSUE: Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch and Joe Garcia are expected to host a congressional field hearing about immigration reform. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Broward College, 111 East Las Olas Blvd., Room 1208, Building 33, Fort Lauderdale.)

PUTNAM TO ATTEND CITRUS INDUSTRY EVENT: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is expected to take part in a citrus industry dinner hosted by the Gulf Citrus Growers Association. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers.)

CASTOR TO SPEAK TO LGBTA GROUP: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., is expected to speak to the Hillsborough LGBTA Democratic Caucus. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Carne Chophouse, 1536 East Seventh Ave., Tampa.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

STATE TAX COLLECTIONS DISCUSSED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will update monthly revenue estimates. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

VETERANS TO BE HONORED: Ceremonies are scheduled to be held in Lakeland and Melbourne to present Governor's Veterans Service Awards. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Lakeland National Guard Armory, 4140 Drane Field Road, Lakeland. Also, 2:15 p.m., Melbourne National Guard Armory, 1889 Stewart Road, Melbourne.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD TO MEET: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., District Headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m., District Headquarters, 81 Water Management Dr., Havana.)

SHELDON, THURSTON AT PALM BEACH FORUM: George Sheldon and Perry Thurston, who are running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, are expected to take part in a Palm Beach County Democratic Party forum. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Airport Hilton Hotel, 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014

PANEL DISCUSSES LAND ISSUES: The state Acquisition and Restoration Council, which works on land-acquisition and management projects, will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

JOBS NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release preliminary July unemployment numbers. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS AT ISSUE: The Health Information Exchange Coordinating Committee will discuss efforts to increase the adoption of electronic health records and a health-information exchange. (Friday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

VETERANS TO BE HONORED: A ceremony is scheduled to be held in Avon Park to present Governor's Veterans Service Awards. (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Avon Park National Guard Armory,2500 U.S. Highway 27 South, Avon Park.)

DEADLINE FOR CONGRESSIONAL MAP: Florida lawmakers face a Friday deadline for submitting newly drawn congressional districts to Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, who ruled last month that a 2012 map violated anti-gerrymandering requirements of the Florida Constitution.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Political candidates and committees are required to submit updated campaign-finance reports by a Friday deadline. The reports will detail contributions and expenditures through Aug. 8.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2014

CLAWSON SPEAKS TO LEE GOP: U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., is expected to speak during a meeting of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 16410 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers.)

NEW UNIVERSITY LAUNCHED: A ceremony will be held to mark the opening of Florida Polytechnic University and the completion of its Innovation, Science and Technology Building. (Saturday, 9:45 a.m., Florida Polytechnic University, IST Building, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)