The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – August 17, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, AUGUST 14, 2015…..Florida lawmakers during the coming week will try to put the finishing touches on a congressional redistricting plan. The Legislature is holding a special session because the Florida Supreme Court ruled in July that current congressional districts violate anti-gerrymandering requirements in the state Constitution. Meanwhile, Sunday is the final day for back-to-school shoppers to enjoy a "sales-tax holiday."

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015

TIME FOR LAST-MINUTE DEALS: Sunday will be the final day of a 10-day "sales-tax holiday" aimed at back-to-school shoppers. The holiday, which started Aug. 7, allows shoppers to buy clothes, school supplies and other items without paying sales taxes.

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2015

Legislature:

HOUSE TAKES UP REDISTRICTING BILL: The House will take up a proposed congressional redistricting plan (HB 1B), filed by Redistricting Chairman Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes. The plan stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling that current congressional districts violate the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" requirements approved by voters in 2010. (Monday, noon, House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE PANEL CONSIDERS DISTRICT LINES: The Senate Reapportionment Committee will consider potential amendments to a congressional redistricting plan (SB 2-B) filed by committee Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. (Monday, noon, 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

GRIMSLEY STAFF ON THE ROAD: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold "mobile office hours" in Okeechobee, Martin and St. Lucie counties. (Monday, 10 a.m., Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 55 South Parrott Ave., Okeechobee. Also, noon, Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, 15545-B S.W. Warfield Blvd., Indiantown. Also, 3 p.m., St. Lucie County Fairgrounds & Equestrian Center, 15601 West Midway Road, Fort Pierce.)

PLANNED PARENTHOOD RESPONDS TO AHCA ALLEGATIONS: Planned Parenthood officials will hold press events in Tallahassee and Sarasota to respond to recent Agency for Health Care inspections of abortion clinics. AHCA alleges the inspections found three clinics performing second-trimester abortions without proper licenses --- an allegation disputed by Planned Parenthood. (Monday, 11 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahassee. Also, 11 a.m., Gompertz Family Regional Headquarters, 736 Central Ave., Sarasota.)

FAMU TRUSTEES DISCUSS BUDGET REQUEST: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will discuss a legislative budget request and a 2015/2016 work plan. (Monday, 2 p.m., Florida A&M University, Lee Hall, Tallahassee.)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Legislature:

HOUSE DEBATES REDISTRICTING BILL: The House likely will vote on a congressional redistricting plan (HB 1B) filed by Redistricting Chairman Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Miami-Dade and Seminole counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 2 p.m., Jean Rhein Central Branch Library, 215 North Oxford Road, Casselberry.)

REGULATORS CONSIDER NUCLEAR COSTS: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a hearing about proposals by Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy Florida to pass along costs to customers for nuclear-power projects. The hearing also could stretch into Wednesday and Thursday. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

GRIMSLEY STAFF ON THE ROAD: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold "mobile office hours" in Osceola County. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., St. Cloud City Hall, 1300 Ninth St., St. Cloud.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

Legislature:

SENATE TAKES UP REDISTRICTING PLAN: The Senate will consider a proposed congressional redistricting plan (SB 2-B) filed by Reapportionment Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE MEETING POSSIBLE: The House has set aside floor time if more work is needed on a congressional redistricting plan. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

GRIMSLEY STAFF ON THE ROAD: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold "mobile office hours" in Polk County. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Mulberry Library, Mulberry Civic Center, 905 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry. Also, 1 p.m., Fort Meade Community Center, 10 S.W. Third St., Fort Meade. Also, 3 p.m., Latt Maxey Memorial Library, 15 North Magnolia Ave., Frostproof.)

ECONOMIST SPEAKS AT CLUB MEETING: Lindsey Piegza, chief economist for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., will speak to the Economic Club of Florida. (Wednesday, noon, FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Brevard County. (Wednesday, noon, Florida Institute of Technology, dining hall foyer, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne.)

HOSPITAL PAYMENTS DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting to discuss a new payment system for hospital-outpatient care in the Medicaid program. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

"IBUDGETS" AT ISSUE: The Agency for Persons with Disabilities will hold a meeting about proposed rules dealing with "iBudgets." which are used in funding services for people with developmental disabilities. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Agency for Persons with Disabilities, 4030 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

DEUTCH TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., is scheduled to hold three town-hall meetings in his district. (Wednesday, 2:15 p.m., Shirley & Barton Weisman Delray Community Center, 7091 West Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Also, 4 p.m., Century Village East clubhouse, 2400 Century Blvd., Deerfield Beach. Also, 7 p.m., Coral Springs Charter School, 3205 North University Dr., Coral Springs.)

SPACE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet in St. Johns County. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015

Legislature:

SENATE WEIGHS REDISTRICTING PLAN: The Senate is expected to debate a proposed congressional redistricting plan (SB 2-B) filed by Reapportionment Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE MEETING POSSIBLE: The House has set aside floor time if more work is needed on a congressional redistricting plan. (Thursday, 10 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet, after holding a series of committee meetings Wednesday. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect Florida's military installations and missions, will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Holiday Inn Resort, 1299 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E., Fort Walton Beach.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Miami-Dade and Lake counties. (Thursday, noon, Miami-Dade County Library, West Flagler Branch, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami. Also, 3 p.m., Haitian Emmanuel Baptist Church, 7321 N.E. Second Ave., Miami. Also, 3 p.m., office of state Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, 2775 South Bay St., Unit D., Eustis.)

FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC BOARD TAKES UP HOUSING ISSUE: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will discuss presidential housing. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., Florida Polytechnic University IST Building, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015

Legislature:

SENATE FLOOR SESSION SCHEDULED: The Senate has scheduled a floor session on the final day of a special session to redraw congressional districts. (Friday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE MEETING POSSIBLE: The House has set aside floor time if more work is needed on a congressional redistricting plan. (Friday, 10 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

DENTAL BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Dentistry will meet in Pinellas County. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, 105 North Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor.)

CHIROPRACTIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

MONTHLY TAX REVENUES ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will look at monthly revenue estimates. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD ABUSE PANEL HOLDS CALL: The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Friday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 702-170-0355.)

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2015

JOLLY HONORED IN PINELLAS: U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, will receive a "statesman of the year" honor during a dinner presented by the Pinellas County Young Republicans and Young Floridians for Opportunity. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Dr., Clearwater.)