The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – May 23, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, MAY 20, 2016…. Dubbing it the "Degrees to Jobs Summit," Gov. Rick Scott will host a two-day event in Orlando to discuss higher education and efforts to help students get jobs after graduation. The event is expected to include top state officials, business executives and higher-education leaders.

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016

CANTU CAMPAIGNS IN VOLUSIA: Republican Mike Cantu, who is running in state House District 26, is expected to raise money during a meet-and-greet event. (Sunday, 4 p.m., Volusia County Republican headquarters, 999 Third St., Holly Hill.)

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

BRANDES HOLDS 'MOBILE' OFFICE HOURS: State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is slated to hold "mobile" office hours. (Monday, 10 a.m., Seminole Community Library, 9200 113th St. North, Seminole.)

ATWATER SPEAKS TO PINELLAS REPUBLICANS: State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is expected to speak to the Downtown St. Pete Republican Club. (Monday, noon, 300 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg.)

UTILITY REGULATORS MEET: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up largely procedural issues in a series of matters involving Florida Power & Light. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

CLEMENS KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN: State Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, will hold an event to kick off his re-election campaign. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Streb's Restaurant, 1880 Congress Ave., #190, Boynton Beach.)

CANOVA CAMPAIGNS IN WESTON: Democrat Tim Canova, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Congressional District 23, is expected to speak to the Weston Democratic Club. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Wings in Weston, 1354 S.W. 160th Ave., Weston.)

LOPEZ-CANTERA SPEAKS TO BROWARD GOP: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is running this year for U.S. Senate, will speak during a meeting of the Broward County Republican Executive Committee. (Monday, 7 p.m., Deicke Auditorium, 5701 Cypress Road, Plantation.)

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

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

CITIZENS BOARD HOLDS CONFERENCE CALL: The Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-942-8686. Code: 574 373 5657#)

REPUBLICANS HOLD FORUM IN SD 23: Republican candidates Doug Holder, Nora Patterson, Ray Pilon and Greg Steube are expected to take part in a candidate forum in Senate District 23. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Olde World Restaurant, 14415 Tamiami Trail, North Port.)

'DEGREES TO JOBS SUMMIT' WARMS UP: A welcome reception with state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will be held as part of Gov. Rick Scott's "Degrees to Jobs Summit," which will focus on higher-education and workforce issues. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

FLORIDA COMPETITIVENESS DISCUSSED: Jesse Panuccio, former executive director of the state Department of Economic Opportunity, and Sal Nuzzo, vice president of policy for the James Madison Institute, will take part in a panel discussion about Florida's economic competitiveness. The event will be hosted by the Charles Koch Institute. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Grand Bohemian Hotel, 325 South Orange Ave., Orlando.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016

'DEGREES TO JOBS SUMMIT' STARTS: Gov. Rick Scott will host the "Degrees to Jobs Summit," which will focus on higher-education and workforce issues. Among the other speakers will be Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

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.)

PSC APPLICANTS REVIEWED: The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council will sift through the list of applicants to replace Public Service Commission member Lisa Edgar, whose term expires at the end of the year. The nominating council will recommend applicants to Gov. Rick Scott, who will appoint a replacement for Edgar. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Miami International Airport, North Terminal Auditorium, fourth level, Concourse D, Northwest 20th St. and LeJeune Road, Miami.)

RUBIO EYES HURRICANE FORECASTING: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, will hold a hearing about hurricane forecasting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Senate Russell Building, 253, Washington, D.C.)

MASSULLO COLLECTS CAMPAIGN CASH: A fundraising reception will be held for Republican Ralph Massullo, who is running this year in state House District 34. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

MILLER RAISES MONEY IN HD 72: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Republican Alex Miller, who is running for the open House District 72 seat in Sarasota County. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.)

FUNDRAISER HELD FOR REBECCA NEGRON: A fundraising reception will be held for Republican Rebecca Negron, who is running this year in Congressional District 18. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Vic & Angelo's, 4520 PGA Blvd., #100, Palm Beach Gardens.)

MEARS CAMPAIGNS FOR HOUSE SEAT: Republican Stuart Mears, who is running in Palm Beach County's House District 86, is slated to hold a meet-and-greet event. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Bonefish Mac's Sports Grille, 10880 West Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington.)

COURIEL BRINGS IN CASH IN HD 114: Republican John Couriel, who is running for an open seat in Miami-Dade County's House District 114, is slated to raise money during a reception. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, 8000 N.W. 25th St., Doral.)

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

'DEGREES TO JOBS SUMMIT' CONTINUES: Gov. Rick Scott will continue hosting the "Degrees to Jobs Summit," which will focus on higher-education and workforce issues. Among the other speakers will be Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Florida State University football coach Jimbo Fisher, University of Florida football coach Jim McElwain and University of Miami football coach Mark Richt. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST MEETS: The Florida Communities Trust Governing Board will meet and discuss the program, which helps local communities protect natural resources and preserve working waterfronts. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

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

TERRELL CAMPAIGNS IN LAKELAND: Democrat Shandale Terrell, running this year in state House District 40, will raise money at a meet-and-greet event in Polk County. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Lake Mirror Tower, 130 South Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland.)

EAGLE HOLDS CAMPAIGN KICKOFF: State Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, will hold a campaign kickoff event for his re-election bid in House District 77. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Team Aubuchon's Mandolin Model, 1811 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral.)

JAMES COLLECTS CAMPAIGN CASH: Democrat Edward James III, who is running in state House District 72, will raise money during an event in Sarasota. (Thursday, 6 p.m., The Francis Hotel, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.)

YOUNG REPUBLICANS RAISE MONEY FOR JOLLY: The Pinellas County Young Republicans will hold a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate David Jolly. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Big Storm Brewing Co., 12707 49th St. North, Clearwater.)

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016

LIBERTARIANS GATHER FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION: The Libertarian National Convention will begin in Orlando, after a series of training and committee meetings Thursday. (Friday, opening speakers 8 a.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.)

RUBIO SPEAKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is scheduled to speak to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. (Friday, noon, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.)