The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – August 22, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, AUGUST 19, 2016…. In a pocketbook issue for residents and business owners, state regulators Monday will wade into a proposal by Florida Power & Light to raise base electric rates. Also during the coming week, Florida A&M University trustees will continue weighing the future of embattled university President Elmira Mangum.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2016

REGULATORS WEIGH FPL RATE HIKE: The state Public Service Commission will start a detailed hearing about a proposal by Florida Power & Light to raise base electric rates. The utility has proposed about $1.3 billion in increases over three years. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

BILIRAKIS HOLDS TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., is slated to hold a town-hall meeting in Dade City. Also expected to take part are state Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and state Rep. Danny Burgess, R-San Antonio. (Monday, 6 p.m., Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City.)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

STATE REVENUES ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss monthly revenue estimates. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

AMENDMENT 4 TOUTED: Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at expanding the use of solar energy will hold a news conference in Pinellas County. The proposal will appear on the Aug. 30 ballot as Amendment 4. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., University of South Florida St. Petersburg, University Student Center, 140 Seventh Ave. South, St. Petersburg.)

BERMAN RAISES MONEY IN SD 30: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Republican Ron Berman, who is running in Palm Beach County's Senate District 30. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Salute Market, 5530 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.)

BEAN DISCUSSES 2016 SESSION: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will speak to the Rotary Club of San Jose about the 2016 legislative session. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., San Jose Country Club, 7529 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville.)

MURPHY, LEE HOLD MEET AND GREET: Democrat Stephanie Murphy, who is running in Florida's Congressional District 7, and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., are slated to hold a meet-and-greet event in Seminole County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 1st Street Lounge, 301 East First St., Sanford.)

DEUTCH HOLDS TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., is slated to hold a town-hall meeting in Broward County. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Coconut Creek Commission, 4800 West Copans Road, Coconut Creek.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016

FAMU PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATION ON THE TABLE: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will meet after a session of the trustees' Special Committee on Presidential Evaluation. Both meetings are expected to include discussion of an evaluation of President Elmira Mangum. (Wednesday, committee meeting at 8 a.m., full board at 9:30 a.m., Florida A&M University, Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT ISSUE: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will hold two meetings about behavioral-health services in the Medicaid program. Participants are expected to include officials from managed-care plans and behavioral health providers. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Central Florida Behavioral Hospital, 6601 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.)

PAROLE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Commission on Offender Review is slated to discuss numerous parole cases related to crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

MEDICAID ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Medical Care Advisory Committee, which works on issues in the Medicaid program, will meet after holding subcommittee meetings. (Wednesday, subcommittees at 1 p.m., committee at 2 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

BILIRAKIS HOLDS TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., is slated to hold a town-hall meeting in New Port Richey. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Dr., New Port Richey.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2016

CENTRAL FLORIDA HEALTH CARE DISCUSSED: The Central Florida Partnership will host a regional health-care summit. Among the expected participants are House Health & Human Services Chairman Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, state Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park, and state Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST MEETS: The Florida Communities Trust Governing Board is scheduled to meet and discuss the program, which helps local communities protect natural resources and preserve working waterfronts. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

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

VETERANS HONORED: A ceremony will be held in Manatee County to present Governor's Veterans Service awards. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., National Guard Armory, 2100 13th Ave. East, Bradenton.)

PUTNAM SPEAKS AT POLK GOP DINNER: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is slated to speak at a Polk County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner. (Thursday, 6 p.m., The Club at Eaglebrooke, 1300 Eagle Ridge Blvd., Lakeland.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

OSTEOPATHIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine will meet in St. Johns County. (Friday, 8 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott Resort, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)

DENTISTRY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Dentistry will meet in Alachua County. (Friday, 8 a.m., Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville.)

BEAN TAKES PART IN RIBBON CUTTING: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Winston Family YMCA. (Friday, 10 a.m., 221 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State political candidates, parties and committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 25.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2016

PUTNAM SPEAKS IN PINELLAS: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is slated to speak at a "statesman of the year" award dinner held by the Pinellas County Young Republicans and Young Floridians for Opportunity. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Dr., Clearwater.)

CARSON GIVES KEYNOTE SPEECH: Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is expected to give the keynote speech during a Florida Family Policy Council awards dinner. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.)