The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – February 9, 2015

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, FEBRUARY 6, 2015…..As he moves toward running for president in 2016, former Gov. Jeb Bush will appear Tuesday in Tallahassee to talk about one of his signature issues: education reform. Bush will take part in an education "summit" that also is expected to include Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. Meanwhile, lawmakers will spend part of the week in committee meetings as they prepare for the March 3 start of the legislative session.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015

FAMU PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT CHURCH EVENT: Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum will be the keynote speaker at the annual Founder's Day program at Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church. (Sunday, 11 a.m., 708 Osceola St., Tallahassee.)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Legislature:

HOSPITAL OB CLOSURES AT ISSUE: The House Health Innovation Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 161), filed by Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, that would require hospitals to notify doctors at least 120 days before closing obstetrical departments or halting obstetrical services. (Monday, 4 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL WAVES THE FLAG: The House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee will take up a series of issues, including a bill (HB 225), filed by Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, that would require state and local governments to purchase American-made U.S. and Florida flags. (Monday, 4 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (Monday, 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Monday, 4 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

LAWMAKERS TAKE PART IN HEALTH SUMMIT: Four lawmakers are expected to host panel discussions during the first full day of a health-care summit hosted by the Foundation of Associated Industries of Florida. Senate Health Policy Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is expected to host a discussion on telemedicine; House Health Quality Chairman Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, is expected to host a discussion on controlling costs; Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, is expected to host a discussion on wellness and prevention; and Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, is expected to host a discussion on technology in health care. (Monday, 8 a.m., Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

VETERANS GROUP TO DISCUSS PLANS: Florida is for Veterans Inc. Board of Directors will meet and continue discussions about a strategic plan. Lawmakers last year created Florida is for Veterans Inc. to help encourage veterans and military families to move to the state and to promote veterans' hiring and education. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD ABUSE DEATHS AT ISSUE: The state Child Abuse Death Review Committee will meet as it looks for ways to prevent child-abuse deaths. (Monday, 9 a.m., Embassy Suites USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa.)

JUDGE TO CONSIDER VOUCHERS CASE: Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds will hold a hearing in a constitutional challenge to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides voucher-like scholarships to help send low-income children to private schools. (Monday, 1:15 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

HAGER TO HOLD MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, will hold "mobile" office hours. (Monday, 2 p.m., Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, 400 Royal Palm Way, Suite 106, Palm Beach.)

SOTO TO SPEAK TO POLK DEMS: State Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, is expected to be among the speakers during a meeting of the Polk County Democratic Executive Committee. (Monday, 6:15 p.m., 330 West Church St., Bartow.)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2015

Legislature:

SCHOOL CHOICE DISCUSSED: The House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee will hold a workshop on school-choice issues. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CONSERVATION AMENDMENT AT ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about a constitutional amendment that requires the state to set aside a portion of real-estate taxes to pay for land-conservation and water projects.(Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TOURISM ON TAP: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Subcommittee will receive an update about tourism promotion and marketing programs. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATORS LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion about mental-health services. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Business & Professions Subcommittee (Tuesday, 8 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 8 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Civil Justice Subcommittee (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House K-12 Subcommittee (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rulemaking Oversight & Repeal Subcommittee (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ARMSTRONG TO TAKE PART IN HEALTH SUMMIT: State Surgeon General John Armstrong is scheduled to serve as a moderator during a panel discussion on the second day of a health-care summit hosted by the Foundation of Associated Industries of Florida. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Jackson, Sumter, Calhoun and Liberty counties. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. Central time, Cottondale City Hall, 2659 Front St., Cottondale. Also, 10 a.m., The Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Also, 1 p.m. Central time, Calhoun County Extension Building, 20816 Central Avenue East, Blountstown. Also, 4 p.m., Bristol City Hall, 12444 N.W. Virginia G. Weaver St., Bristol.)

CHILD ABUSE DEATHS AT ISSUE: The state Child Abuse Death Review Committee will finish two days of meetings as it looks for ways to prevent child-abuse deaths. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Embassy Suites USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa.)

ELECTIONS CANVASSING BOARD TO MEET: The state Elections Canvassing Commission will meet to certify the results of the Jan. 27 special Republican primaries in Senate District 6, House District 17 and House District 24. Rep. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, won the Senate primary, while St. Johns County Republican Cyndi Stevenson won in House District 17 and Flagler County Republican Paul Renner won in House District 24. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD TO MEET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, committee meetings start at 9 a.m., followed by full board meeting, district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

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

SCOTT AT TAKE STOCK RALLY: Gov. Rick Scott is expected to participate in a rally for the Take Stock in Children program. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., steps of the Old Capitol.)

BUSH, SCOTT AT EDUCATION SUMMIT: Former Gov. Jeb Bush, Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, are expected to take part in "Keeping the Promise: A Florida Education Summit," hosted by the Foundation for Florida's Future. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., The Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Updated campaign-finance reports are due in special elections in Senate District 6, House District 17 and House District 24. Elections in the Northeast Florida districts will be held April 7.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015

Legislature:

PANEL CONSIDERS WATER POLICY: The House State Affairs Committee will consider a wide-ranging bill (PCB SAC 15-01) that deals with water resources. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISCUSSED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will receive updates about affordable-housing programs. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CONSERVATION FUNDING AT ISSSUE: The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of documentary-stamp tax revenue that will be used to carry out a constitutional amendment approved in November. That amendment will require the state to set aside money for land-conservation and water projects. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOSPITAL PAYMENTS DETAILED: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the consulting firm Navigant Healthcare about hospital funding and payment issues in the Medicaid program. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

EARLY LEARNING CONSIDERED: The House Education Committee is expected to take up draft legislation about early-learning programs. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TEXTING-WHILE-DRIVING ACCIDENTS TARGETED: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (HB 9), filed by Rep. Irv. Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, that would make it a second-degree felony if a motorist is involved in a fatal accident while violating the state's ban on texting while driving. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Appropriations Committee (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Economic Affairs Committee (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Quality Subcommittee (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Veteran & Military Affairs Subcommittee (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

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

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in St. Johns County. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., The Lord's Temple, 140 Gilmore St., Hastings.)

THRASHER SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY CLUB: Florida State University President John Thrasher is slated to speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Donald L.Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

FLORIDA POPULATION ANALYZED: The Demographic Estimating Conference will analyze Florida population information. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Legislature:

EDUCATION BUDGET DISCUSSED: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss budget issues and take testimony. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TAX CREDITS AT ISSUE: The House Finance & Tax Committee will take up a series of issues, including a discussion of the entertainment-industry tax credit program. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

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

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

FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSES TOUTED: Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, will take part in a news conference to discuss legislation that would require high-school students to take financial-literacy courses. (Thursday, 1 p.m., fourth-floor rotunda, the Capitol.)

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

KIDCARE, MEDICAID ANALYZED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will look at expenditures in the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program and caseloads in the Medicaid program. (Thursday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

PANEL DISCUSSES LAND ISSUES: The state Acquisition and Restoration Council, which works on land-acquisition and management issues, will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

NATIONAL ECONOMY AT ISSUE: The Economic Estimating Conference will analyze information about the national economy. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PAUL TO SPEAK TO ORANGE COUNTY GOP: U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., will speak during the Orange County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner. (Friday, 7:30 p.m., Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE IN HD 13: Former Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, and Republican Lawrence Jefferson face a Friday deadline for filing updated campaign-finance report in the special election in Duval County's House District 13. The special election will be held Feb. 17.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015

PAUL TO SPEAK IN SARASOTA: U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., will speak at a rally in Sarasota. (Saturday, 5:15 p.m., Dolphin Aviation, 8191 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.)