The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – May 4, 2015

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, MAY 1, 2015…..With lawmakers back home --- at least temporarily --- the Capitol will return to a slower pace during the coming week. But Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet will meet Tuesday to discuss issues such as performance measures for three state agencies. Meanwhile, across the street, the Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in a dozen cases spread over three days.

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015

FALLEN LAW OFFICERS REMEMBERED: The annual Florida Law Enforcement Memorial Service will be held to honor officers who died in the line of duty. (Monday, 10 a.m., Capitol courtyard.)

SHERIFFS TO HOLD MEMORIAL CEREMONY: The Florida Sheriffs Association will hold a ceremony to pay tribute to fallen officers. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Florida Sheriffs Association headquarters, 2617 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

NEW ATTORNEYS TAKE OATH: Chief Judge Joseph Lewis Jr. of the 1st District Court of Appeal will administer the oath to a dozen people seeking admission to The Florida Bar during an induction ceremony. (Monday, 3 p.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

HD 64 RESULTS CERTIFIED: The state Elections Canvassing Commission will certify the results of an April 21 special election in House District 64 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, won the special election against write-in candidate Daniel Matthews. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., at the start of the Cabinet meeting, Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

CABINET TO CONSIDER AGENCY PERFORMANCE: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will take up a series of issues, including looking at performance measures for the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Office of Financial Regulation and the Department of Revenue. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

JUSTICES HEAR ARGUMENTS IN PRISON GUARD KILLING: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including an appeal by Death Row inmate Richard Franklin, who was convicted in the 2012 murder of Columbia Correctional Institution officer Ruben Thomas. Franklin was an inmate at the North Florida prison at the time of the murder. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

PSC TO CONSIDER GULF POWER WIND DEAL: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a plan that involves Gulf Power Co. buying electricity generated at a wind farm in Oklahoma. The Pensacola-based utility, at least in part, is seeking approval to be able to pass along costs to customers. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE SAFETY AT ISSUE: The Florida Transportation Commission will hold a workshop that is expected to include discussion of issues such as a bicycle and pedestrian safety initiative. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Port Manatee, 300 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

JUSTICES TO HEAR SOUTH FLORIDA DEATH PENALTY CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including death-penalty appeals from Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties. The Okeechobee County case involves Neil Salazar, who was convicted in a 2000 murder, while the Palm Beach County case involves Ronald Knight, who was convicted in a 1993 murder. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION DISCUSSED: The Florida Transportation Commission will meet and take up several issues, including a review of legislative issues. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.)

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015

BANKERS ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES BONDS: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a challenge by the Florida Bankers Association to revenue bonds that the Florida Development Finance Corp. seeks to issue for a clean-energy program. The association contends that the financing plan for securing the bonds is unconstitutional. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

'IBUDGETS' AT ISSUE: The state Agency for Persons with Disabilities will hold a hearing about proposed rules dealing with "iBudgets," which are used in funding services for people with developmental disabilities. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agency for Persons with Disabilities, 4030 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

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

BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The state university system's Board of Governors will hold a conference call and consider reappointing 13 members of university boards of trustees. The Senate, which holds confirmation power, did not take action on those trustees during this spring's legislative session. (Thursday, 2 p.m.. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353.)

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

CENTRAL FLORIDA WATER AT ISSUE: The Central Florida Water Initiative Steering Committee will meet to discuss water issues in the region. The steering committee includes members from the St. Johns River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and representatives of other agencies. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., 951 Martin Luther King Blvd., Kissimmee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Leon County. (Friday, 10 a.m., Leon Human Services Center, 1000 West Tharpe St., Tallahassee.)

FLORIDA HEALTH CHOICES TO MEET: The Florida Health Choices Board of Directors will meet and consider a series of issues, including receiving a report on legislation. (Friday, 11 a.m., 200 West College Ave., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO TO RAISE MONEY: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is expected to raise money for his presidential campaign during a reception in Orlando. (Friday, 5:30 p.m., Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, 9100 Chiltern Dr., Orlando.)