The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – December 28, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2015

BUSH CAMPAIGNS IN HIALEAH: Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will campaign at a restaurant in Miami-Dade County. (Monday, 8:15 a.m., Chico's Restaurant, 4070 West 12th Ave., Hialeah.)

VETERANS FLORIDA BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Veterans Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call and is expected to discuss issues such as a marketing plan. Veterans Florida was created to help encourage veterans and military families to move to the state and to promote veterans' hiring and education. (Monday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-877-619-2945.)

BUSH SPEAKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is expected to speak to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. (Monday, noon, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

BUSH CAMPAIGNS IN OCALA: Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush will hold a town-hall event in Marion County. (Monday, 3 p.m., Circle Square Commons, Cypress Hall, 8413 S.W. 80th St., Ocala.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015

CONGRESSWOMAN CHALLENGES REDISTRICTING PLAN: U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown is expected by Tuesday to file a revised federal lawsuit challenging a new Florida congressional redistricting plan. Brown's district would be dramatically changed under the plan. Currently, it stretches from Jacksonville to Orlando. Under the new plan, it is drawn to go from Jacksonville to Gadsden County, which is west of Tallahassee. She filed an original version of the lawsuit in August but has said she will amend it after the Florida Supreme Court this month approved the new map.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2015

UNEMPLOYMENT APPEALS CONSIDERED: The Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016

LOWER WORKERS COMP RATES TAKE EFFECT: Florida employers will see lower workers-compensation insurance rates as of Jan. 1. The state Office of Insurance Regulation in November ordered an overall rate decrease of 4.7 percent in 2016.

STATE OFFICES CLOSED: State offices will be closed for New Year's Day.

SATURDAY JANUARY 2, 2016

BROWN BECOMES PSC CHAIR: Florida Public Service Commissioner Julie Brown will begin a two-year term as chairwoman of the utility-regulatory agency, effective Jan. 2. Brown, an attorney who has served on the commission since 2011, will succeed Chairman Art Graham.