The Week Ahead in Florida Politics - November 3, 2014

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, OCTOBER 31, 2014…..After months of campaigning, Election Day is almost here. Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist will find out Tuesday whether they swayed enough voters, as will candidates for the state Cabinet, legislative seats and hundreds of local offices. Also during the coming week, the state university system's Board of Governors likely will approve the appointment of state Sen. John Thrasher as president of Florida State University and Cornell University Provost Kent Fuchs as president of the University of Florida.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014

ATWATER TO CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH FLORIDA: Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is scheduled to campaign in Miami-Dade County. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Sergio's, 1640 N.W. 87th Ave., Doral.)

BIDEN, CRIST, GARCIA APPEAR IN MIAMI: Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to make a campaign appearance with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla. (Sunday, noon, Florida International University, Wertheim Performing Arts Center, 10910 S.W. 17th St., Miami.)

SCOTT, BUSH RALLY VOTERS IN MIAMI-DADE: Republican Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Jeb Bush will appear at a get-out-the-vote rally in Miami-Dade County. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Milander Park, 4700 Palm Ave., Hialeah.)

BIDEN TRIES TO HELP TURN OUT VOTERS: Vice President Joe Biden will appear at "Souls to the Polls" event to try to increase voter turnout for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. (Sunday, 2:15 p.m., Mount Hermon AME Church, 401 N.W. Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale.)

FINAL DAY OF EARLY VOTING: Early voting will end in a number of counties. Early voting was required from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, but counties could add days, including the final Sunday before Election Day.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014

PUTNAM, BUSH CAMPAIGN IN SARASOTA: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and former Gov. Jeb Bush will appear at a campaign rally. (Monday, 9 a.m., Dolphin Aviation, 8191 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.)

SOUTHERLAND SEEKS VOTER TURNOUT IN TALLAHASSEE: U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., will hold a get-out-the-vote rally as he tries to defend his Congressional District 2 seat in a challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham. (Monday, 9 a.m., Southerland campaign headquarters, 3852 Killearn Court, Tallahassee.)

BUSH, ATWATER TO RALLY VOTERS: Former Gov. Jeb Bush and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater are expected to take part in a get-out-the-vote rally in Palm Beach County. Also expected to take part are Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and state Republican Party Chairwoman Leslie Dougher. (Monday, 11 a.m., The Boulevard Restaurant & Gourmet Deli, 10961 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens.)

FSU GROUPS TO HOLD MARCH: The FSU Progress Coalition and the Foundation Against the Corporatization of Education will hold a march to request that Sen. John Thrasher not be approved as the new president of Florida State University. The state university system's Board of Governors is scheduled to vote on the appointment Thursday. (Monday, march starts at 2:30 p.m., Florida State University, Westcott Building, Tallahassee.)

CLINTON TO CAMPAIGN WITH CRIST: Former President Bill Clinton is slated to take part in a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. (Monday, 7:30 p.m., University of Central Florida, Memory Mall, between the student union and CFE Arena, Orlando.)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014

ELECTION DAY: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

JUDGE TO FACE REPRIMAND: The Florida Supreme Court is slated to take up three cases, including issuing a public reprimand to Citrus County Circuit Judge Sandy Kautz. The reprimand, recommended by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission, stemmed in part from Kautz appearing in court on behalf of her sister after an arrest. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

STATE REVENUES DISCUSSED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to general revenue, the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund and the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SOUTHERLAND TO RALLY VOTERS, CAST BALLOT: U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla, will hold a get-out-the-vote rally, cast his ballot and attend an election-night party. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Central time, rally, campaign headquarters, 3430 Highway 77, Panama City. Also, 11:30 a.m. Central time, voting, Emerald Coast Fellowship Church, 4102 Highway 390, Lynn Haven. Also, 6:30 p.m. Central time, party, Edgewater Beach Resort, 11212 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in St. Lucie and Indian River counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Port St. Lucie City Hall, 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Also, 1 p.m., North Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian.)

SHELDON TO VOTE, HOLD PARTY IN TALLAHASSEE: George Sheldon, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, will vote and then later hold an election-night party. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Deer Lake United Methodist Church, 8013 Deer Lake East, Tallahassee. Also, 7:30 p.m., Mint Lounge, 215 West College Ave., Tallahassee.)

SCOTT IN BONITA SPRINGS; CRIST IN ST. PETERSBURG: Republican Gov. Rick Scott will spend election night with supporters in Bonita Springs, while Democratic challenger Charlie Crist will spend the evening in St. Petersburg.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

ATTORNEYS' FEES AT ISSUE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a dispute about limits on attorneys' fees in workers-compensation insurance cases. The case involves Marvin Castellanos, a worker who was injured in 2009 during an altercation on his job. Castellanos' attorneys asked the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of a law that strictly limited fees in the case. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

KIDCARE AND TANF ANALYZED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss caseloads for the KidCare and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PAROLE CASES TO BE HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review, formerly known as the Florida Parole Commission, will consider numerous cases involving people convicted of crimes from the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Gadsden County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Quincy Farm Share site, 18212 Blue Star Highway, Quincy.)

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM GOVERNORS MEET: The state university system's Board of Governors will start two days of meetings at Florida Atlantic University. The first day will involve a series of committee meetings. (Committees start at 1 p.m., after a tour of the A.D. Henderson University School and lunch, Florida Atlantic University, Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

POPULATION NUMBERS TALLIED: The Demographic Estimating Conference will discuss Florida population numbers. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SLADE TO BE REMEMBERED: A memorial service will be held for former state Republican Chairman Tom Slade, who died Oct. 20. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Orange Park United Methodist Church, 2051 Park Ave., Orange Park.)

LAWMAKERS TAKE PART IN PALM BEACH COUNTY EVENT: State Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Royal Palm Beach, Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, and Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, are expected to take part in a "victory celebration" held by the United South County Democratic Club. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014

JUVENILE SENTENCING AT ISSUE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including a combined case that involves sentencing for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. Pointing to a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, two inmates who were sentenced to life in prison for murders they committed as juveniles are challenging their sentences. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

CABINET AIDES TO MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will meet to discuss issues that will come up at a Nov. 12 Cabinet meeting. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

NATIONAL ECONOMY MEASURED: The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss the national economy. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Martin and Monroe counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Martin County Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. Also, 4:30 p.m., Monroe County Public Library, 3251 Overseas Highway, Marathon.)

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

MACMANUS, SMITH WRAP UP ELECTIONS: University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus and Tampa Bay Times political writer Adam Smith will discuss the 2014 elections at a meeting of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. (Thursday, noon, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.)

BOARD TO CONSIDER FSU, UF PRESIDENTS: The state university system's Board of Governors will meet and take up a series of issues including the appointments of state Sen. John Thrasher as president of Florida State University and Cornell University Provost Kent Fuchs as president of the University of Florida. The board meeting will follow committee meetings earlier in the day. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m. or upon completion of earlier meetings, Florida Atlantic University, Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

LOTTERY NUMBERS UPDATED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss lottery revenues. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PROFESSORS TO DISCUSS ELECTION: University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus and University of Florida political-science professor Daniel Smith will discuss the 2014 elections at an event hosted by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at UF. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Pugh Hall, the University of Florida, Gainesville.)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

RISK MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED: The Self-Insurance Estimating Conference will discuss risk-management issues. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Orange, Levy, Okeechobee and Monroe counties. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Winter Park Community Center, 721 West New England Ave., Winter Park. Also, 10 a.m., Haven Hospice Chiefland-Tri-Counties Care Center, 311 N.E. Ninth St., Chiefland. Also, 10 a.m., Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., Okeechobee. Also, noon, San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St., Key West.)

COURT FUNDING AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up what is known as "Article V" revenues, which help pay for courts. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2014

WETHERELL, HANNA TO BE HONORED: Former House Speaker and Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell and Florida College System Chancellor Randy Hanna will be among the honorees at a Florida State University Alumni Association awards breakfast. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Alumni Association Grand Ballroom, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

NEW COLLEGE BOARD TO MEET: The New College of Florida Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet, after holding a series of committee meetings. (Saturday, full board meets at 11:30 a.m., New College of Florida, Sudakoff Conference Center, Pei Campus, 5845 General Dougher Place, Sarasota.)