The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – July 4, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, JULY 1, 2016…. Florida Supreme Court justices on Thursday will issue their last regular batch of opinions before taking an annual summer break. While it is unclear what cases will be addressed in the opinions, the court is mulling critical issues involving the state's death penalty. Those issues stem from a January ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court and a subsequent effort by the Legislature to rewrite the state's death-penalty sentencing laws.

MONDAY, JULY 4, 2016

STATE OFFICES CLOSED: State offices will be closed for the July 4 holiday.

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

MEDICAID WAIVER AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration is slated to hold a hearing on a proposal to the federal government for an amendment to a state Medicaid "waiver." The amendment would allow the state to move forward with a pilot housing-assistance program for people with mental-illness or substance-abuse issues. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Mary Grizzle Building, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Largo.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2016

JUDGE HOLDS POT HEARING: Administrative Law Judge R. Bruce McKibben will hear a challenge from Loop's Nursery, a grower trying to get a medical-marijuana dispensing organization license in the state's Northeast region. Health officials granted a license to Gainesville-based Chestnut Hill Tree Farm and later granted a license to San Felasco Nurseries. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., DeSoto Building, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee.)

CASELOADS ANALYZED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze caseloads in the Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, programs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SPACE FLORIDA BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Space Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-204-5987. Code: 4503386 #)

MEDICAID WAIVER AT ISSUE: The state Agency for Health Care Administration is slated to hold a hearing on a proposal to the federal government for an amendment to a state Medicaid "waiver." The amendment would allow the state to move forward with a pilot housing-assistance program for people with mental-illness or substance-abuse issues. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 400 West Robinson St., Suite S309, Orlando.)

POPULATION DISCUSSED: The Demographic Estimating Conference will analyze state population numbers. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BEAN GOES TO CECIL AIRPORT: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will tour facilities at Cecil Airport and speak to employees and management of LSI, Inc. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Cecil Airport, 13365 Simpson Way, Jacksonville.)

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016

COALITION FOR CHILDREN HOLDS CONFERENCE: The Florida Coalition for Children Foundation will hold an annual conference, with the speakers expected to include Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach. (Thursday, plenary session starts at 8:30 a.m., Orlando Omni Resort at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate.)

KIDCARE AT ISSUE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze caseloads in the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FPL NUCLEAR COSTS DISCUSSED: The state Public Service Commission will consider a request from Florida Power & Light to put off until next year consideration of issues related to the possible construction of two additional nuclear reactors in Miami-Dade County. The request includes deferring a proposal to collect $22 million from FPL customers to cover project-related costs. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

ABLE ACT TOUTED: Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, will be among the speakers during a news conference to help launch the Florida Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which will allow people with disabilities to enroll in a tax-free savings and investment account without affecting their government benefits. (Thursday, 10 a.m., fourth floor, the Capitol.)

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

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA EXECUTIVE PANEL HOLDS CALL: The Enterprise Florida Board Executive Committee is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Thursday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 8344260#)

CUBA ISSUES DISCUSSED: American University Professor Leonard Steinhorn will speak to the Economic Club of Florida about "Cuba on the Cusp: Challenges, Questions and Opportunities." (Thursday, noon, Florida State University Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ON THE TABLE: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze enrollment in the pre-K-12 school system. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SHAW RAISES MONEY FOR HOUSE RACE: Democrat Sean Shaw, who is running in Hillsborough County's House District 61, is expected to raise money during a reception. (Thursday, 6 p.m., 4610 North Central Ave., Tampa.)

REP. LATVALA TALKS WITH GOP CLUB: Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater, is slated to speak to the Pinellas Suncoast Black Republican Club. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., PoFolks restaurant, 2001 34th St. North, St. Petersburg.)

BERUFF TO SPEAK IN FLAGLER COUNTY: U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff is expected to speak to the Flagler County Young Republicans Club. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 55 Town Center Blvd., Palm Coast.)

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016

PROCTOR SPEAKS IN BAY COUNTY: Cissy Proctor, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, is scheduled to speak to a joint meeting of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. (Friday, 8 a.m., Florida State University, Panama City Campus, Holley Academic Center, 4750 Collegiate Dr., Panama City.)

RISK ASSESSMENT AT ISSUE: The Agency for State Technology will hold a meeting about information-technology risk assessment services. The meeting stems from part of the 2016-2017 budget that calls for risk assessments for state agencies. (Friday, 10 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.)

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2016

GOP CANDIDATES IN CD 2 DEBATE: The Leon County Republican Party will host a debate for candidates in Northwest Florida's Congressional District 2. The GOP candidates are Neal Dunn, Ken Sukhia and Mary Thomas. (Saturday, 7 p.m., American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Dr., Tallahassee.)

GRANHOLM SPEAKS TO PINELLAS DEMOCRATS: Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will speak at a Pinellas County Democratic Party dinner. (Saturday, 7 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.)