The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – December 5, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, DECEMBER 2, 2016....... Florida House members will go back to school during the coming week. Preparing for the 2017 session, the House will hold "Legislator University," a two-day crash course for members on a wide range of issues.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016

MAST AT GOP CLUB EVENT: Brian Mast, who was elected last month in Congressional District 18, is expected to take part in a Republican Club of the Northern Palm Beaches brunch event. (Sunday, noon, Frenchman's Reserve Country Club, 3370 Grande Corniche, Palm Beach Gardens.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016

STATE LEADERS AT AIF ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Associated Industries of Florida will hold its annual conference, with speakers expected to include Gov. Rick Scott, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes. (Monday, 9 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

RISK MANAGEMENT AT ISSUE: The Self-Insurance Estimating Conference will discuss risk-management issues. (Monday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RODMAN DAM TARGETED: A news conference will be held about a legal petition that alleges a permit has expired for the Rodman Dam in North Florida. The dam was built on the Ocklawaha River as part of the abandoned Cross-Florida Barge Canal project. Environmentalists contend the dam should be removed and the river restored, but local leaders in areas such as Putnam and Marion counties have long fought the removal. (Monday, 11 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahassee.)

MARTINEZ SPEAKS TO TAMPA ECONOMIC CLUB: Former Gov. Bob Martinez is scheduled to speak to the Economic Club of Tampa. (Monday, noon, Jackson's Bistro, 601 South Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa.)

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

MAST AT TEA PARTY EVENT: Republican Brian Mast, who was elected Nov. 8 in Congressional District 18, is expected to take part in a Palm Beach County Tea Party event. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

Legislature:

'LEGISLATOR UNIVERSITY' STARTS IN HOUSE: The Florida House will start two days of training sessions dubbed "Legislator University." Tuesday's scheduled topics:
--- Civility and Professional Conduct in the Legislative Process (9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Mechanics of the State Budget (10:15 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- The Rules of the Florida House of Representatives (10:15 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- What Do the Rules Changes Mean for Me? (10:15 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Exploring Florida's Medicaid Program (11:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- An Overview of School Accountability (11:30 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to Gaming (11:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Office Accounts for Members (11:30 a.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Balancing Family, Work, District and Tallahassee Obligations (12:30 p.m., Members Dining Hall, the Capitol.)
--- Tricks and Traps of Moving Your Member Bills (12:30 p.m., Room 333, the Capitol.)
--- Things I Wished Someone Told Me 6 Years Ago (12:30 p.m., House Majority Office conference room, the Capitol.)
--- Exploring Florida's Higher Education System (1:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- An Overview of the Child Welfare System (1:30 p.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to Workers' Compensation (1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Filing an Appropriations Project Bill for Members (1:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Respect in the Workplace (2:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Advanced Budgeting for Members (3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Advanced Rules for Members (3:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Bill Drafting for Members (3:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- An Overview of Florida's Retirement System (4:45 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to the Death Penalty (4:45 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to the Environment and Pollution Control (4:45 p.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Rules for House Members (4:45 p.m., Room 216, the Capitol.)

Also:

STATE OFFICIALS AT TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT: The Florida Chamber Foundation will hold an annual transportation "summit," with speakers expected to include state Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold, Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon and state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hilton Miami Airport, 5101 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami.)

SMALL COUNTIES AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will consider issues related to "fiscally constrained" counties, which include many small rural counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

VETERINARY BOARD GATHERS: The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine is scheduled to meet in Nassau County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Residence Inn Amelia Island, 2301 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.)

PSC MEETS: The Florida Public Service Commission will meet and take up issues such as storm-hardening plans for Tampa Electric Co., Florida Public Utilities Co., Duke Energy Florida and Gulf Power Co. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

EDUCATION CONSTRUCTION MONEY ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program, which helps pay for school construction projects. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CITIZENS INSURANCE COMMITTEES MEET: Committees of the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors will meet in advance of a full board meeting Wednesday. (Tuesday, meetings start at 11:30 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland.)

TRANSPORTATION MONEY ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze transportation revenues. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Legislature:

'LEGISLATOR UNIVERSITY' CONTINUES IN HOUSE: The Florida House will continue two days of training sessions dubbed "Legislator University." Wednesday's scheduled topics:
--- Mechanics of the State Budget (9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- The Rules of the Florida House of Representatives (9 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Estimating Conferences for House Members (9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Exploring Florida's Medicaid Program (10:15 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- An Overview of School Accountability (10:15 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to Gaming (10:15 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- LEAGIS for Members (10:15 a.m., training room, eighth floor, the Capitol.)
--- Exploring Florida's Judicial Branch (11:15 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- An Overview of Florida's Retirement System (11:15 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Recent Issues Related to Workers' Compensation (11:15 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Filing an Appropriations Project Bill for Members (11:15 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Balancing Family, Work, District and Tallahassee Obligations (12:15 p.m., Members Dining Hall, the Capitol.)
--- Tricks and Traps of Moving Your Member Bills (12:15 p.m., Room 333, the Capitol.)
--- Things I Wished Someone Told Me 6 Years Ago (12:15 p.m., House Majority Office conference room, the Capitol.)
--- Ethics in the Legislature (1:15 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Advanced Budgeting for Members (2:45 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Advanced Rules for Members (2:45 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

SUPREME COURT WEIGHS DEATH PENALTY CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including appeals from Death Row inmates convicted in Broward and Pinellas counties. The Broward case involves Howard Steven Ault, who was convicted in the murders of two young sisters in 1996. The Pinellas case involves John Lee Hampton, who was convicted in the 2007 murder of a Clearwater woman. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

CITIZENS INSURANCE BOARD MEETS: The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will meet in Central Florida. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland.)

MEDICAID MONEY EYED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to Medicaid expenditures. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors will meet in St. Johns County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)

FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will meet after holding a series of committee meetings. (Wednesday, committee meetings start at 9:15 a.m., with full board scheduled at 2 p.m., Florida Polytechnic University Admissions Center, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)

BEAN READS TO KIDS, SPEAKS TO CLUB: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will read to children at the San Marco Branch Library in Jacksonville before speaking to the Southside Business Men's Club about the upcoming legislative session. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., San Marco Branch Library, 1513 LaSalle St., Jacksonville. Also, 11:45 a.m., San Jose Country Club, 7529 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville.)

JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS AT ISSUE: The Financial Emergency Board for the School District of Jefferson County is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines St., Tallahassee.)

LOTTERY NUMBERS ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up issues related to the Florida Lottery. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

INDIAN CASINOS AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will consider Indian gaming issues. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference will analyze the state's voluntary pre-kindergarten program. (Thursday, 8 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS MALPRACTICE LAW: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a battle about the constitutionality of a 2013 medical-malpractice law. The law has been controversial because it opened the door to what are known as "ex parte communications" in malpractice cases. In ex parte communications, for example, defense attorneys representing doctors accused of malpractice could get personal health information about the patients involved in the cases. That information could come from other doctors who treated the patients, and disclosure could occur without the patients' attorneys being present. The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld the constitutionality of the law, which critics contend violates patient privacy rights. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS HOLD TELECONFERENCE: The Florida College System Council of Presidents is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 1326645713#)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors will meet in St. Johns County. (Thursday, 10:15 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.)

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

BEAN AT GOP WOMEN'S HOLIDAY EVENT: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is expected to take part in the annual Christmas "extravaganza" of the Republican Women's Club of Duval Federated. (Thursday, noon, Lexington Riverwalk Hotel, 1515 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville.)

NURSING HOME PAYMENTS AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about what is known as a "prospective payment" system for nursing homes in the Medicaid program. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m., district headquarters, 81 Water Management Dr., Havana.)

FLORIDA COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ANALYZED: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze enrollment in the Florida College System. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ON THE TABLE: The Education Estimating Conference will consider enrollment numbers in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. (Thursday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE ANALYZED: The Self-Insurance Estimating Conference will take up issues related to state employees' health insurance. (Friday, 8 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet in Tallahassee. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

HOUSING ISSUES ON THE TABLE: The Florida Housing Finance Corp. Board of Directors is scheduled to meet in Orlando. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

FLORIDA GULF COAST TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016

MACMANUS SPEAKS TO SARASOTA DEMOCRATS: University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus is expected to speak about the 2016 elections to the Democratic Club of Sarasota. (Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Marina Jack restaurant, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.)