The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – May 2, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…. More than three months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida's death-penalty sentencing system was unconstitutional, questions remain about how the decision affects inmates already on Death Row. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday will hear arguments in a case involving Death Row inmate Timothy Lee Hurst, who filed the successful challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court. Hurst argues he should receive a life sentence instead of the death penalty.

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

RE-ENTRY CENTERS AT ISSUE: Bridges of America will hold a news conference to discuss a dispute with the Department of Corrections about the closure of re-entry centers in Broward and Manatee counties. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahassee.)

QUALIFYING STARTS FOR COURT RACES: Candidate qualifying will begin in this fall's judicial, state attorney and public defender races. (Monday, noon.)

SHERIFFS HONOR FALLEN OFFICERS: The Florida Sheriffs Association will hold an annual ceremony to honor officers who died in the line of duty. Among those honored will by Okaloosa County Deputy William Myers, who was fatally shot in September. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Florida Sheriffs Association headquarters, 2617 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

WILCOX CAMPAIGNS IN TAMPA: U.S. Senate candidate Todd Wilcox is expected to speak to Tampa Republican Women Federated and the Tampa Republican Club. (Monday, 7 p.m., Square One Burgers, 3701 Henderson Blvd., Tampa.)

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2016

MEDICAID MONEY AT ISSUE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze county contributions to Medicaid. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

GROUP RELEASES LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD: Americans for Prosperity-Florida will hold a news conference to release a "scorecard" about how lawmakers voted on issues. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahassee.)

RODRIGUEZ FORMALLY LAUNCHES SENATE CAMPAIGN: A campaign kickoff event will be held for state Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Miami Democrat who is running in Senate District 37. The event is expected to include U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy and several state lawmakers. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Segafredo Brickell, 1421 South Miami Ave., Miami.)

YOUNG KICKS OFF SENATE CAMPAIGN: House Majority Leader Dana Young, a Tampa Republican running in Senate District 18, will hold an event to formally kick off her campaign. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1601 South MacDill Ave., Tampa.)

DEADLINE FOR PSC APPLICATIONS: Candidates for a position on the Florida Public Service Commission face a 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline for submitting applications to the Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council. Commissioner Lisa Edgar's term is slated to expire at the end of this year.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

PUTNAM SPEAKS AT AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is expected to be among the speakers during the Palm Beach International Agricultural Summit, hosted by the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. (Wednesday, all day event, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

BILIRAKIS HOLDS SENIOR HEALTH FAIR: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., will help host a senior health fair in Pasco County. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Elfers Senior Center, 4136 Barker Dr., New Port Richey.)

INSURER, HOSPITAL SQUARE OFF: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a dispute between State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance and a major Jacksonville hospital about information related to the hospital's reimbursement rates. State Farm went to court against Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, now known as UF Health Jacksonville, in a dispute dealing with personal-injury protection auto-insurance claims and the hospital's contracts with health insurers for other types of care. State Farm is seeking copies of the hospital's contracts to determine if amounts billed by the hospital for auto-insurance injury claims were reasonable. An appeals court sided with the hospital, which argues it shouldn't have to turn over the contracts. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

CHILDREN'S ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet will meet in Sarasota. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch Campus, 7131 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota.)

GAMBLING INITIATIVE ON THE TABLE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed ballot initiative known as "Voter Control of Gambling in Florida." (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

I-75 RELIEF SOUGHT: The I-75 Relief Task Force will meet to discuss transportation corridors to serve the area from Tampa Bay to Northeast Florida. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., The Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, Spring Hill.)

'GOLD SEAL' NURSING HOMES AT ISSUE: The Governor's Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care will hold a conference call to review applications for the state's "Gold Seal" awards for nursing homes. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 8050334011.)

CONGRESSIONAL FORUM HELD IN LAKE COUNTY: Candidates in Congressional District 6 and Congressional District 11 are expected to take part in a forum hosted by Lake County Republicans, the Lake Federated Republican Women's Club, the North Lake Tea Party and Liberty Christian Prep School. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Liberty Baptist Church, 2451 Dora Ave., Tavares.)

FRANKEL PROVIDES CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., is expected to provide a congressional update to the United South County Democratic Club. (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.)

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

SUPREME COURT WEIGHS HIGH-PROFILE DEATH PENALTY CASE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including a case that forced an overhaul of the state's death-penalty sentencing system. The case involves Timothy Lee Hurst, who was sentenced to death for the 1998 killing of a fast-food worker in Pensacola. Hurst was the plaintiff in a legal challenge that led to the U.S. Supreme Court finding in January that Florida's death-penalty sentencing system was unconstitutional because it gave too much power to judges, instead of juries. State lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott quickly approved changes to the system to try to resolve the constitutional issues. The Florida Supreme Court will weigh Hurst's contention that he now should receive a life sentence, rather than the death penalty. Attorney General Pam Bondi's office argues that Hurst should continue to face execution. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Drug Policy Advisory Council, which works on issues related to substance abuse, will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

UTILITY REGULATORS MEET: The Florida Public Service Commission will meet. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

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

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016

HOUSING ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. is expected to meet in Jacksonville. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)

DETERT SPEAKS TO GOP WOMEN: State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, is scheduled to speak to the Republican Women's Club of Sarasota. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Michael's on East, 1212 East Ave. South, Sarasota.)

QUALIFYING ENDS FOR COURT RACES: Candidate qualifying will end for this fall's elections in judicial, state attorney and public defender races. (Friday, noon.)

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016

LAWMAKERS TAKE PART IN FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Travis Cummings, R-Orange Park, are expected to take part in a community food-distribution event. (Saturday, 9 a.m., First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park.)