The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – December 14, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2015

JONES, LAWMAKERS, AT 'JUSTICE SUMMIT:' Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, are expected to be among the participants in a "Justice Summit," hosted by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. (Monday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS DISCUSSED: The Florida Greenways and Trails Council will start a two-day meeting and discuss proposed projects from across the state. (Monday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Carr Building, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

REDISTRICTING HEARING STARTS: Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds will begin a hearing about redrawing Florida Senate districts. The hearing comes after a long-running legal and political battle stemming from the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards approved by voters in 2010. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahasee.)

MEDICAID NUMBERS AT ISSUE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss Medicaid caseloads. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DEUTCH DISCUSSES LONG-TERM CARE: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., is expected to take part in an event hosted by the Florida Health Alliance to discuss long-term care. (Monday, 10 a.m., Weisman Community Center, 7091 West Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.)

JOLLY APPEARS AT LOCKHEED MARTIN: Republican Congressman David Jolly, who is running for U.S. Senate in 2016, will use an F-35 cockpit demonstrator at Lockheed Martin. (Monday, 1 p.m., Lockheed Martin, 9300 28th St. North, Pinellas Park.)

CLAWSON SPEAKS TO LEE GOP WOMEN: U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., is expected to speak to members of Lee Republican Women Federated. (Monday, 5:15 p.m., Pinchers at The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 West First St., Fort Myers.)

SAVIETTO LAUNCHES HOUSE CAMPAIGN: A campaign kick-off is planned for West Palm Beach Democrat Virginia Savietto, who is running next year in state House District 87. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Don Ramon Restaurant, 7101 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.)

WAKULLA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Wakulla County legislative delegation, which is made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, will meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Monday, 6 p.m., Wakulla County Senior Citizens Center, 33 Michael Dr., Crawfordville.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015

BRANDES SPEAKS TO GOP CLUB: State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is expected to speak to the Sunshine Leadership Republican Club. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, 2626 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.)

LAWMAKERS, PATE AT 'JUSTICE SUMMIT:' State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Florida Commission on Offender Review Chairwoman Tena Pate are expected to be among the participants in a "Justice Summit," hosted by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS AT ISSUE: The Florida Greenways and Trails Council will continue a two-day meeting. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Carr Building, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

FINANCIAL AID ON THE TABLE: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze student financial-aid numbers. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. 301, Tampa.)

ATWATER SPEAKS AT CHAMBER ROUNDTABLE: State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will be the keynote speaker during the Florida Chamber Foundation's 2015 CFO Roundtable. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Tampa Club, 101 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

KIDCARE COSTS CONSIDERED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss expenditures in the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FAU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will hold committee meetings, followed by a board meeting. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, Administration Building, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

RANDOLPH RAISES CAMPAIGN CASH: A reception will be held to raise money for Democratic congressional candidate Susannah Randolph. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Maxine's on Shine, 337 Shine Ave., Orlando.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

LAWMAKERS AT 'JUSTICE SUMMIT:' Numerous state lawmakers will take part in a "Justice Summit," hosted by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. Among the lawmakers expected to participate are Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island; Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala; Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee; Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral; Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker; Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers; Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura; Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville; Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice; Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; Rep. Kristin Jacobs, D-Coconut Creek; Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater; Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota; Rep.Gwyn Clarke-Reed, D-Deerfield Beach; Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness; and Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R-Saint Johns. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases involving crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will address issues related to unclaimed property. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PALM BEACH DELEGATION HOLDS WORKSHOP: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will hold a workshop with the Palm Beach County League of Cities. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Florida Atlantic University football stadium, Acura Club Room, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

'SOBER HOMES' ADDRESSED: State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, and Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, will help provide an update about legislation dealing with "sober homes," which house recovering addicts in residential areas. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Delray Beach City Hall, 100 N.W. First Ave., Delray Beach.)

CITRUS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ANALYZED: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze pre-kindergarten through 12th grade enrollment numbers. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BERMAN TO SPEAK IN HIGHLAND BEACH: State Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, is expected to speak to the Highland Beach Coastal Democratic Club. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Highland Beach Library, 3618 South Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach.)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida College System Council of Presidents will hold a conference call and discuss a series of legislative and funding issues. (Thursday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 1326645713.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE NUMBERS CONSIDERED: The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to the criminal-justice system. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

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

FLORIDA ECONOMY ANALYZED: The Economic Estimating Conference will address issues related to the Florida economy. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

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

HEALTH CARE DATA AT ISSUE: The State Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council will discuss issues related to transparency in health care through public reporting of data. (Friday, 10 a.m., webinar at www.joinwebinar.com. ID: 125-059-035. Also, audio call-in: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 900 967 2762.)

CRISAFULLI DISCUSSES SESSION ISSUES: House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, will meet with reporters to discuss the 2016 legislative session, which starts Jan. 12. (Friday, 2 p.m., Room 333, the Capitol.)