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The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – July 25, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, JULY 22, 2016…. The hoopla has ended in Cleveland. Now it is Philadelphia's turn. Florida Democratic leaders and activists will converge on the City of Brotherly Love for the Democratic National Convention, which starts Monday. Florida delegates will gather each morning to hear from state elected officials and national party leaders.

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016

GRAHAM, WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AT DELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Convention will hold a breakfast, with speakers expected to include former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Broward County congresswoman. The convention will formally begin later in the day, with speakers expected to include First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. (Monday, breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia. Convention session expected to begin at 3 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.)

MEDICAID EXPANSION, FUNDING DISCUSSED: The League of Women Voters of Florida will hold a conference call with reporters to discuss issues related to Medicaid expansion and to release a report about Medicaid hospital funding. (Monday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-877-876-9176. Conference ID: Florida.)

MEDICAID MATCHING FUNDS AT ISSUE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss a formula known as FMAP, which determines the amount of federal matching funds Florida receives for the Medicaid program. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

MAST CAMPAIGNS IN MARTIN COUNTY: Republican Brian Mast, who is running in Congressional District 18, is scheduled to take part in a meet-and-greet event. (Monday, 6 p.m., The Pittenger Center, 623 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart.)

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016

PELOSI, NELSON, LAWMAKERS AT DELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Convention will hold a breakfast, with speakers expected to include U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida and U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Kathy Castor of Florida. The convention session later in the day is expected to include an address by former President Bill Clinton. (Tuesday, breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia. Convention session expected to begin at 4 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Environmental Regulation Commission will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet in Hillsborough County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES ANALYZED: The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DEBATE: The Chamber of Southwest Florida will host a debate for the candidates in Congressional District 19. Expected to take part are Republicans Dan Bongino, Chauncey Goss and Francis Rooney. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSED: Trulieve will hold a news conference to discuss receiving state approval to begin selling a type of medical marijuana that purportedly does not get users high but is believed to alleviate conditions such as severe seizures. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Trulieve, 800 Capital Circle S.E., Tallahassee.)

PILON RAISES MONEY IN SD 23: A fundraising event will be held for state Rep. Ray Pilon, a Sarasota Republican running in Senate District 23. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Gecko's Signature Room, 5586 Palmer Crossing Circle, Sarasota.)

DESANTIS SPEAKS IN LAKE COUNTY: U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who is running for re-election in Congressional District 6, will speak to the Lake County Republican Executive Committee. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Tavares Civic Center, 100 East Caroline St., Tavares.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

DEUTCH, WILSON, SENATORS AT DELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Convention will hold a breakfast, with speakers expected to include U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch and Frederica Wilson of Florida, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia. The convention session later in the day is expected to include speeches by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. (Wednesday, breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia. Convention session expected to begin at 4:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.)

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will meet to discuss issues in advance of an Aug. 2 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

LOTTERY ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to the Florida Lottery. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PAROLE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Commission on Offender Review is slated to discuss numerous parole cases related to crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

ALCOCK CAMPAIGNS IN SD 23: Democrat Frank Alcock, who is running this year in Senate District 23, is scheduled to campaign at a meet-and-greet event. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Venice Yacht Club, 1330 Tarpon Center Dr., Venice.)

GAMBLING ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss financial issues involving slot machines and Indian gaming. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RICHARDSON ON PANEL AT LGBT EVENT: State Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach, will be part of a panel discussion by elected officials during a summit held by Equality Forum, a group that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. The four-day summit is being held at the same time as the Democratic National Convention. (Wednesday, elected officials panel at 2:30 p.m., National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia.)

BENACQUISTO, NEGRON RAISE MONEY: A fundraising reception is scheduled in Palm Beach County for Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Morton's Steakhouse, 777 South Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach.)

SAVIETTO BRINGS IN CASH IN HD 87: A fundraising event is slated for Democrat Virginia Savietto, who is running in Palm Beach County's House District 87. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Brother Jimmy's BBQ, City Place, 700 South Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach.)

WASTEWATER RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting to discuss an application by Ni Florida LLC to increase wastewater rates in Pasco County. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Dr., New Port Richey.)

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

GRAHAM, BOOK AT DELEGATION BREAKFAST: The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Convention will hold a breakfast, with speakers expected to Congresswoman Gwen Graham, incoming state Sen. Lauren Book, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. The convention session later in the day will include addresses by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea. (Thursday, breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia. Convention session expected to begin at 4:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.)

TAXES ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss issues such as the gross-receipts tax and the communications-services tax. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings earlier in the day. (Thursday, committee meetings start at 9:30 a.m. and full board meets at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Live Oak Center, Orlando.)

EDGAR REPLACEMENT DISCUSSED: The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council will whittle the list of applicants for a spot on the state Public Service Commission. Longtime Commissioner Lisa Edgar decided against seeking another term and will leave the utility-regulatory panel when her term expires at the end of the year. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Hyatt Place Tampa Airport Westshore, 4811 West Main St., Tampa.)

HIGHWAY SAFETY MONEY ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss highway-safety revenues. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WATER RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting to discuss an application by Ni Florida LLC to increase water rates in Lee County. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Friendship Hall of Tamiami Village, 16555-A North Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers.)

SCOTT SPEAKS AT ORANGE COUNTY EVENT: Gov. Rick Scott will speak at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Orange County, with a portion of the proceeds going to the OneOrlando Fund, which was set up to help victims' families and survivors of the Pulse nightclub massacre. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

SHAW DISCUSSES HD 61: Democrat Sean Shaw is scheduled to discuss his candidacy in Hillsborough County's House District 61 and host a watch party for the Democratic National Convention. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Hillsborough County Firefighter Office, 4525 North 59th St., Tampa.)

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

BOARD OF MEDICINE GATHERS IN TAMPA: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet after holding a series of committee meetings on Thursday. (Friday, 8 a.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1100 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will take up a series of issues and select a chairman and vice chairman for the 2016-2017 year. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

PROPERTY TAXES ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss ad valorem, or property, taxes. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS AT ISSUE: The Health Information Exchange Coordinating Committee will hold a webinar to discuss issues such as increasing the use of electronic health records. (Friday, 10 a.m. GoToWebinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1863593419539102212)

PHARMACY ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Board of Pharmacy will hold a conference call. (Friday, noon. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 5134896685.)

BEAN MAKES JACKSONVILLE APPEARANCES: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will speak about the 2016 legislative session to the Rotary Club of North Jacksonville and will present the Governor's Gold Seal Award to River Garden Senior Services. (Friday, Rotary Club at 12:15 p.m., Jacksonville Zoo Samburu Room, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville. Gold seal presentation, 2 p.m., River Garden Senior Services, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State political candidates and committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing campaign-finance activity through July 22.

SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016

SPANO HOSTS FOOD DISTRIBUTION: State Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover, Farm Share and the Libre Initiative are scheduled to host a free food-distribution event. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Resurrection Catholic Church, 6819 Krycul Ave., Riverview.)

RUBIO, BERUFF CAMPAIGN IN SARASOTA: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and his primary-election challenger, businessman Carlos Beruff, are expected to speak during a "meet the candidates" rally in Sarasota County. Also expected to take part in the event is U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. (Saturday, 2 p.m., Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.)