The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – December 19, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, DECEMBER 16, 2016....... President-elect Donald Trump's victory in Florida will be complete Monday when 29 Republican electors gather in the state Senate chamber to cast their votes. The rest of the week will be relatively quiet in state government and politics as the holiday weekend approaches.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

PALM BEACH DELEGATION MEETS: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing and consider local bills. (Monday, 10 a.m., Palm Beach State College Belle Glade Campus, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, 1977 S.W. College Dr., Belle Glade.)

GRAHAM HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE: U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., will hold a final news conference before leaving Congress. Graham did not run for re-election this year in her North Florida district and is considering a run for governor in 2018. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

HIGHER ED ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Higher Education Coordinating Council will hold a conference call. (Monday, 1:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 3397524582.)

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS MEET: Florida's presidential electors will meet in Tallahassee to cast their votes for president and vice president. The 29 electors include Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and state Republican Chairman Blaise Ingoglia. (Monday, 2 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

NEGRON HOSTS REPORTERS: Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, will host a press holiday breakfast and hold a media availability. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Senate president's office, the Capitol.)

HAGER HOLDS OPEN HOUSE: State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, will hold a holiday open house. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 301 Yamato Road, Suite 1240, Boca Raton.)

BROWARD LAWMAKERS HOLD HEARING: The Broward County legislative delegation will hold a hearing on issues related to education, cultural affairs and health and human services and will have a first reading of local bills. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

CITRUS ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Citrus Commission will hold a teleconference meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 2265370149#)

MEDICAID PAYMENTS AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold three hearings on payment methodologies in the Medicaid program. The first hearing will deal with hospital inpatient services; the second will deal with services in facilities that are not publicly owned and not publicly operated; the third will deal with county health departments. (Wednesday, hearings at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

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

FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will hold a conference call after two committee meetings. (Committee meetings start at 10 a.m., followed by the full board meeting. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4872254143#)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

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

DENTISTRY ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Board of Dentistry is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Thursday, noon. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4552635641#)