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The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – January 16, 2017

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, JANUARY 13, 2017....... With Florida's annual legislative session starting March 7, lawmakers are holding county delegation meetings across the state to gather public input and consider local bills. Those meetings will continue during the coming week, which also will include a State Board of Education meeting.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017

LAWMAKERS BACK AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Alcee Hastings are expected to take part in a community forum in support of the Affordable Care Act. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Sunrise Civic Center Amphitheater, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise.)

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017

STATE OFFICES CLOSED: State offices will be closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

BAEZ OPENS DISTRICT OFFICE: State Rep. Daisy Baez, D-Coral Gables, will hold an event to open her district office. (Monday, 6 p.m., 5542 S.W. Eighth St., Coral Gables.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Legislature:

ORANGE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Orange County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Ocoee, Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, Rep. Amy Mercado, D-Orlando, Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park, Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Orange County Government Administration Center, 201 South Rosalind Ave., Orlando.)

GRUTERS SPEAKS TO LONGBOAT KEY GOP: State Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, is scheduled to speak to the Republican Club of Longboat Key. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Longboat Key Club and Resort, 3200 Harbourside Dr., Longboat Key.)

BAY COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Bay County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. Central time, Bay County Commission chamber, 840 West 11th St., Panama City.)

SANTA ROSA DELEGATION MEETS: The Santa Rosa County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex, 6495 Caroline St., Milton.)

BEAN HONORED IN NASSAU: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is slated to receive a proclamation from the Fernandina Beach City Commission related to his support of state funding for stormwater projects in Nassau County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Fernandina Beach City Commission chamber, 204 Ash St., Fernandina Beach.)

Also:

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet in Martin County. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Martin County School Board office, 500 East Ocean Blvd., Stuart.)

FSU TRUSTEES HOLD CALL: The Florida State University Board of Trustees is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida State University, Westcott Building, 222 South Copeland St., Tallahassee.)

NORTH FLORIDA WATER PLAN AT ISSUE: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board and the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing are scheduled to hold a joint meeting and discuss a North Florida regional water supply plan. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 15100 N.W. 142nd Terrace, Alachua.)

EXPANDED TELEHEALTH SOUGHT: The Telehealth Advisory Council will meet to discuss recommendations for increasing the use of telehealth, also known as telemedicine, in Florida. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

FAMU TRUSTEES HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Florida A&M University, Lee Hall, Tallahassee. http://www.famu.edu/famcast --

- click WANM 90.5 to listen.)

MURPHY HOLDS 'LISTENING' SESSION: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., will hold a "listening session" with constituents in Orange County. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., William R. Boone High School auditorium, 1000 East Kaley St., Orlando.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2017

Legislature:

BEAN TAKES PART IN CHAMBER EVENT: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is expected to attend the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Northeast Florida regional meeting. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., The River Club, 1 Independent Dr., Jacksonville.)

OSCEOLA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Osceola County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee, and Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Osceola County Commission chamber, 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee.)

LEVY COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Levy County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Charlie Stone, R-Ocala, will meet in preparation for the 2017 session. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 East Hathaway Ave., Bronson.)

PASCO COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Pasco County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, Rep. Amber Mariano, R-Hudson, and Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, will meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O' Lakes.)

UNION COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Union County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Union County Courthouse, 55 West Main St., Lake Butler.)

ST. JOHNS COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The St. Johns County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R-Saint Johns, and Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., St. Johns County Commission chamber, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.)

BRADFORD COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Bradford County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Bradford County Courthouse, 945 North Temple Ave., Starke.)

Also:

CABINET AIDES HUDDLE: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Cabinet members will meet in advance of a Jan. 24 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

CITRUS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet in Polk County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

SENIOR SCAMS TARGETED: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold an event to help protect seniors from financial scams. (10 a.m., Zephyrhills Cinema 10, Auditorium #3, 6848 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills.)

MURPHY HOLDS 'LISTENING' SESSION: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., will hold a "listening session" with constituents in Seminole County. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Westside Community Center, 919 Persimmon Ave., Sanford.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

Legislature:

RODRIGUES ADDRESSES BUSINESS GROUP: House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, is scheduled to speak to the Businesspeople United for Political Action Committee, or BUPAC. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Building AA, Fort Myers.)

LEE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Lee County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2017 session. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, Nursing Building, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers.)

CHARLOTTE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Charlotte County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda.)

LAWMAKERS SPEAK AT WATER FORUM: Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Chairman Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, are expected to be among the speakers during a regional water forum hosted by the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Fete Ballroom at Polo Grill, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch.)

BROWARD DELEGATION TAKES UP LOCAL BILLS: The Broward County legislative delegation, made up of five senators and 14 House members, is scheduled to take up local bills and hold a public hearing on a number of topics such as juvenile justice, transportation, economic development, environment and growth management. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)

MARION COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Marion County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, R-The Villages, Rep. Stan McClain, R-Belleview, Rep. Charlie Stone, R-Ocala, and Rep. Clovis Watson, D-Alachua, is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m., College of Central Florida, Klein Conference Center, Ocala.)

BEAN HOSTS OPEN HOUSE: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will host an open house at his new Jacksonville district office. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Duval Station Office Complex, 13453 North Main St., Suite 301, Jacksonville.)

LEON COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Leon County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Leon County Commission chamber, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

FLORES, CITIZENS TALK INSURANCE: Senate Banking and Insurance Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, and officials from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. are slated to hold meeting that will include discussion about a "depopulation" program aimed at moving policies from the state-backed Citizens into the private insurance market. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., West Dade Library, 9445 Coral Way, Miami.)

Also:

INSURANCE TRADE SECRETS AT ISSUE: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a dispute between the Office of Insurance Regulation and State Farm Florida about publicly disclosing information related to the company's property-insurance policies. Regulators are challenging a May ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge James Hankinson, who issued an injunction against the release of information about State Farm policies. State Farm argued that the information was a "trade secret" protected from public disclosure. Regulators have long collected the information and made it publicly available. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which seeks to bolster the state's military missions and installations, will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Avon Park Air Force Range, 29 South Blvd., Building 77, Avon Park.)

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

MURPHY HOLDS 'LISTENING' SESSION: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., will hold a "listening session" with constituents in Seminole County. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Eastmonte Civic Center, 830 Magnolia Dr., Altamonte Springs.)

LAWYERS HONORED FOR PRO BONO WORK: A ceremony will be held at the Florida Supreme Court to honor 21 attorneys who have been recognized by The Florida Bar for their pro bono work. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

WATER RATES ON THE TABLE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer hearing in Hardee County about a proposal by Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC to increase water rates. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Historic City Hall, 225 East Main St., Wauchula.)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

Legislature:

BEAN TOURS PACE CENTER, HOSTS LUNCHEON: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will tour the PACE Center for Girls with Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, and then will host a luncheon with mayors and city managers of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. (Friday, 10 a.m., PACE Center for Girls, 2933 University Blvd. North, Jacksonville. Also, 11:30 a.m., Metro Diner, 1534 Third St. North, Jacksonville Beach.)

Also:

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is slated to release December unemployment figures. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

INAUGURATION DAY: Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in as president at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.