The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – May 25, 2015

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, MAY 22, 2015….Florida lawmakers won't gather in the Capitol for a special session until June 1. But a major topic of the session --- health-care funding --- will be discussed at meetings throughout the state in the coming week. That includes a meeting Tuesday in Orlando of a commission formed by Gov. Rick Scott to dig into hospital finances.

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

STATE OFFICES CLOSED: State offices will be closed because of Memorial Day.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

HEALTH CARE COMMISSION TO MEET: The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, created recently by Gov. Rick Scott, will meet in Central Florida. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Orange County Health Department, 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando.)

GRAHAM TO HAVE 'WORK DAY' AT APALACHICOLA BAY: U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., will hold a "work day" in Franklin County, working alongside oystermen in Apalachicola Bay. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., followed by a noon news conference, Lynn's Quality Oysters, Eastpoint.)

UF FINANCES AND FACILITIES AT ISSUE: The Committee on Finance and Facilities of the University of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 1 Tigert Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville.)

STARK TO SPEAK TO WESTON DEMOCRATS: State Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, is expected to speak to the Weston Democratic Club. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, 2000 North Commerce Parkway, Weston.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

MIAMI-DADE HEALTH FUNDING AT ISSUE: The Health Foundation of South Florida will hold a forum about the potential impacts on Miami-Dade County of a loss of funding in the Low Income Pool program, which provides additional money to hospitals and other providers that care for large numbers of uninsured patients. The forum also will focus on a "coverage gap" for hundreds of thousands of uninsured Floridians. Among the expected participants in event will be Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami; Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah; and Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Marion, Orange, Seminole, Clay and Osceola counties. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Belleview Commission chamber, 5343 S.E. Abshier Blvd. Belleview. Also, 10 a.m., Renaissance Senior Community Center, 3800 South Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. Also, 1 p.m., Winter Springs Commission chamber, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs. Also, 1:30 p.m., Board of County Commissioners office, 477 Houston St., Green Cove Springs. Also, 4 p.m., Poinciana Community Center, 395 Marigold Ave., Poinciana.)

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA COMMITTEES TO MEET: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will hold committee meetings and an orientation session for new members. (Wednesday, first committee meeting starts at 10 a.m., Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa.)

DUVAL DELEGATION TO DISCUSS LIP: The Duval County legislative delegation will meet and discuss the Low Income Pool, a program that sends additional money to hospitals and other health providers that care for large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. The program, which faces expected cuts next year, has been a key issue in a budget standoff between the House and Senate. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Jacksonville City Hall, 117 West Duval St., Jacksonville.)

SPACE FLORIDA BOARD TO MEET: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa.)

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD TO MEET: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet. (Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Liberty County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Bristol City Hall, 12444 N.W. Virginia G. Weaver St., Bristol.)

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

UF POLICY AND STRATEGY DISCUSSED: The Committee on Educational Policy and Strategy of the University of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 123 Tigert Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville.)

WATER SUPPLY AT ISSUE: The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a workshop on a draft 2015 regional water-supply plan. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., district headquarters, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ON PANEL: Six Central Florida lawmakers are expected to take part in a panel discussion about issues such as the political clout of Hispanics in the state Capitol. The lawmakers are Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando; Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee; Rep. Victor Torres, D-Orlando; Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando; Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs; and Rep. David Santiago, R-Deltona. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Barry University School of Law, 1650 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando.)

PUTNAM TO SPEAK TO PASCO GOP: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is expected to speak during the Pasco County Republican Party's Ronald Reagan Dinner. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey.)

THOMPSON TO HOST TOWN HALL: Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, is expected to host a town-hall meeting that will include discussion of issues such as Medicaid and the Low Income Pool health-funding program. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Dr. James R. Smith Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd., Orlando.)

LAND PANEL TO HOLD HEARING: The state Acquisition and Restoration Council, which works on land-acquisition and management issues, will hold a regional public hearing in Osceola County. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Osceola County Commission chamber, 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee.)

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

BOARD OF DENTISTRY TO MEET: The Florida Board of Dentistry will meet. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, 1714 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville.)

STUDENT ASSESSMENTS AT ISSUE: The Florida Standards Assessment Review Selection Panel will meet. The panel is choosing an independent entity to verify the validity of the Florida Standards Assessment for public-school students. (Friday, 10 a.m., University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr., Jacksonville.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Hardee and Polk counties. (Friday, 10 a.m., Hardee County Library, 315 North Sixth Ave., Wauchula. Also, 2 p.m., Mulberry Public Library, 905 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry.)

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015

DEMOCRATIC BLACK CAUCUS TO MEET: The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida will hold its annual conference, with speakers including U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo. (Saturday, opening plenary session, 8:45 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando SeaWorld, 10100 International Dr., Orlando.)

HASTINGS TO DISCUSS PUBLIC HOUSING: U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., will hold a town-hall meeting to discuss public-housing issues. (Saturday, noon, African-American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)