The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – December 7, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, DECEMBER 4, 2015….. With lawmakers back home in their districts, action will shift during the coming week to the Florida Supreme Court. Justices will hear arguments in a series of cases, including a dispute about whether Florida Power & Light should be able to invest in a natural-gas drilling operation in Oklahoma. Also during the coming week, Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members will meet.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

MARTIN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Martin County legislative delegation will meet to elect delegation leaders and to consider a local bill. (Monday, 9 a.m., Martin County Administration Center, 2401 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart.)

HEARING HELD ON AETNA DEAL: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a public hearing about Aetna Inc.'s proposed acquisition of CarePlus Health Plans, Inc., Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc., Humana Medical Plan, Inc., and CompBenefits Company. (Monday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DUVAL DELEGATION CHOOSES LEADERS: The Duval County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing and elect delegation leaders. (Monday, 1 p.m., Jacksonville City Hall, 117 West Duval St., Jacksonville.)

STATE INVESTMENTS AT ISSUE: The Investment Advisory Council, which reviews the state's investments and makes recommendations, will meet. (Monday, 1 p.m., The Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

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

PUTNAM TAKES AIM AT 'SKIMMERS:' Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and House Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, will discuss legislation aimed at protecting consumers from "skimmers," which are placed on gas pumps to steal people's financial information. (Monday, 2 p.m., Sunoco gas station, 3002 North Highway 301, Tampa.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD HOLDS WORKSHOP: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to hold a workshop that will include discussion of a resolution about the Central Florida Water Initiative.(Monday, 3 p.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

MADISON COUNTY DELEGATION PREPARES FOR SESSION: The Madison County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, will meet in preparation for the 2016 session. (Monday, 6 p.m., Madison County Courthouse Annex, 229 S.W. Pinckney St., Suite 107, Madison.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

COURT CONSIDERS FPL DRILLING FIGHT: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, including a battle about Florida Power & Light's investment in a natural-gas drilling operation in Oklahoma. Critics argue that the Florida Public Service Commission last December improperly approved FPL's plan to invest in the operation and pass along costs to customers. The commission and FPL contend the project will help shield customers from future price swings for natural gas. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

CABINET MEETS: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will meet and take up issues from several state agencies. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Health will hold a hearing about a proposed rule addressing eligibility screening for the Children's Medical Services program, which includes children with special health-care needs. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

LOTTERY DOLLARS ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will update financial numbers related to the Florida Lottery. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

STARGEL HOLDS 'MOBILE OFFICE HOURS:' Staff members for state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, are slated to hold "mobile office hours" in Polk and Orange counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Winter Haven City Hall, 451 Third St. N.W., Winter Haven. Also, 11 a.m., Webb's Realty, 38283 Highway 27, Davenport. Also, 2 p.m., West Orange Chamber of Commerce, 12184 West Colonial Dr., Winter Garden.)

TOP NURSING HOMES CONSIDERED: The Governor's Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care will hold a conference call to consider applications for Gold Seal Award designations for nursing homes. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Office Area 6, 6800 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.)

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings. (Tuesday, committee meetings start at 9 a.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

PALM BEACH DELEGATION MEETS: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will take up local bills and hold a public hearing in preparation for the 2016 session. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Lakeside Medical Center, 39200 Hooker Highway, Belle Glade.)

HEARING HELD ON INSURANCE DEAL: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a public hearing about Anthem Inc.'s proposed acquisition of HealthSpring of Florida, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Florida, Inc., and Cigna Healthcare of Florida, Inc. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HILLSBOROUGH DELEGATION MEETS: The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa.)

KERNER DISCUSSES CAMPUS CARRY BILL: State Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth, is expected to speak to the Democratic Club of Boca Raton & Delray Beach and discuss legislation such as a bill that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college campuses. (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015

CITIZENS INSURANCE BOARD MEETS: The Citizens Property Insurance Governing Board will meet after holding a series of committee meetings Tuesday. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland.)

MIAMI-DADE JUDGE FACES REPRIMAND: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases and issue a public reprimand to Miami-Dade County Judge Jacqueline Schwartz, who was accused of misconduct related to comments she made during an election campaign and her handling of notes in a court file. One of the allegations involved a June 2014 incident in which Schwartz used profanity and threatened to sue a convenience-store owner who had declined to allow her to display a campaign sign at the store. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ON THE TABLE: The state Environmental Regulation Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

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.)

HISTORICAL ISSUES CONSIDERED: The Florida Historical Commission is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7911101420#)

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ANALYZED: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze enrollment numbers in the Florida College System. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Pharmacy's Controlled Substance Standards Committee will discuss issues related to patients filling prescriptions for controlled substances. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Residence Inn, 600 West Gaines St., Tallahassee.)

FIU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida International University Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings earlier in the day. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center, Miami.)

LOPEZ-CANTER APPEARS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is running for U.S. Senate next year, is scheduled to appear at a Palm Beach County Republican Party holiday event. (Wednesday, 6:45 p.m., Atlantis Country Club, 190 Atlantis Blvd., Atlantis.)

BAEZ RAISES MONEY IN MIAMI-DADE: A fundraising reception will be held for Democrat Daisy Baez, who is running next year in Miami-Dade County's House District 114. The host committee is expected to include Rep .David Richardson, D-Miami Beach, and Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., 3901 Hardie Ave., Coconut Grove.)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015

PHARMACY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Pharmacy meets. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Residence Inn, 600 West Gaines St., Tallahassee.)

SUPREME COURT TAKES UP UTILITY DISPUTE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including a dispute about electric service in unincorporated areas of Indian River County. The county appealed to the Supreme Court after the state Public Service Commission sided with the city of Vero Beach, which provides utility service to the unincorporated areas. The county has contended that Vero Beach's legal right to serve the unincorporated areas will end with the expiration of a franchise agreement in 2017. But the Public Service Commission in February ruled against the county. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

LAWMAKERS TAKE PART IN TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT: The Florida Chamber Foundation will host a transportation "summit" in Jacksonville. Among the expected speakers are Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg; Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville; and Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.)

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

NATIONAL ECONOMY UNDER MICROSCOPE: The Economic Estimating Conference will analyze national economic numbers. (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.)

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

GOP LEADERS RAISE MONEY IN MIAMI BEACH: Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, state Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, and state Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, are scheduled to host a reception and dinner to raise money for the GOP's House Majority and Senate Majority campaign funds. (Thursday, reception, 5 p.m., Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Dinner, 7 p.m., Joe's Stone Crab, 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Thursday deadline for filing reports showing campaign-finance activity through Nov. 30.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

PHARMACY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Pharmacy meets. (Friday, 8 a.m., Residence Inn, 600 West Gaines St., Tallahassee.)

ETHICS COMMISSION CONSIDERS CASES: The Florida Commission on Ethics will consider issues from across the state, including Escambia County, Lake County, St. Augustine, Tallahassee and Cocoa. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

FAMU BOARD MEETS: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida A&M University, Band Rehearsal Hall, Tallahassee.)

AHCA DATA COLLECTION DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a conference call to discuss the agency's data-collection programs. (Friday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 900-967-2762#.)

LATVALA SPEAKS TO TIGER BAY: Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, is expected to speak to the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 North Nebraska Ave., Tampa.)