The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – October 12, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, OCTOBER 9, 2015…..The U.S. Supreme Court during the coming week will hear arguments in a case that could force changes in the way Florida carries out the death penalty. The case involves Florida's unique system of not requiring unanimous jury recommendations before judges impose death sentences. Meanwhile, closer to home, reporters and editors from across the state will gather in Tallahassee for an annual Associated Press event. Gov. Rick Scott is expected to be among the speakers.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015

PUTNAM ATTENDS WATER CONFERENCE: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is expected to start three days of events in Israel as part of an international water-supply conference known as WATEC Israel 2015. Putnam has focused on the need for Florida to develop water policies, warning that the state could face water shortages in the future.

MEET AND GREET FOR HOUSE CANDIDATE: A meet-and-greet event will be held for Sarasota Democrat Edward James III, who is running in 2016 in state House District 72. (Sunday, 5 p.m., The Rivo at Ringling, 1771 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2015

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Suwannee County. (Monday, 11 a.m., Branford Town Hall, 604 N.W. Suwannee Ave., Branford. Also, 1 p.m., Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave. S.E., Live Oak.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSED: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will hold a workshop about a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CHILDREN'S CARDIAC CARE AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Health will hold a hearing about the proposed repeal of a rule related to the Children's Medical Services program and standards for pediatric cardiac care. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Department of Health, 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD HOLDS WORKSHOP: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will hold a workshop on issues such as water-supply planning. (Monday, 3 p.m., University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr., Jacksonville.)

INGOGLIA SPEAKS TO PINELLAS GOP: State Republican Chairman Blaise Ingoglia is expected to speak to the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee. (Monday, 7 p.m., Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Dr., Clearwater.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

'FAITH SYMPOSIUM' ADDRESSES CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll is expected to be among the speakers during the "National Faith Symposium,'' which will address issues such as child welfare and juvenile justice. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.)

HURRICANE LOSS PANEL MEETS: The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology will start two days of meetings. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

STARGEL HOLDS 'MOBILE OFFICE HOURS:' Staff members for state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, are slated to hold "mobile office hours" in Polk and Orange counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Winter Haven City Hall, 451 Third St. N.W., Winter Haven. Also, 11 a.m., Webb's Realty, 38283 Highway 27, Davenport. Also, 2 p.m., West Orange Chamber of Commerce, 12184 West Colonial Dr., Winter Garden.)

ELECTRIC, TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES ON THE AGENDA: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues involving the electric-utility and telecommunications industries. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

U.S. SUPREME COURT LOOKS AT DEATH PENALTY LAW: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that challenges the way Florida sentences people to death. The case stems from the 1998 murder of an Escambia County fast-food worker, and attorneys representing Death Row inmate Timothy Lee Hurst contend that Florida's unique sentencing system is unconstitutional. In part, the attorneys take issue with Florida not requiring unanimous jury recommendations in death-penalty cases. A judge sentenced Hurst to death after receiving a 7-5 jury recommendation. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., U.S. Supreme Court, Washington.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Osceola and Sumter counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Robert Guevara Community Center, 501 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee. Also, 10 a.m., The Savannah Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD MEETS IN JACKSONVILLE: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. or upon conclusion of earlier committee meetings, University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr., Jacksonville.)

MEDICAID PANEL HOLDS CONFERENCE CALL: The state Medical Care Advisory Committee, which reviews and provides input about Medicaid issues, will meet. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE DISCUSSED: The Gunster law firm and the University of South Florida Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation will hold a symposium focused on expanding access to health care. Participants are expected to include state Surgeon General John Armstrong, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., and state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, 124 South Franklin St., Tampa.)

ST. JOHNS COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The St. Johns County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 legislative session. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., St. Johns County Commission, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.)

USF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Tampa.)

FLORIDA PREPAID ENROLLMENT DISCUSSED: The Florida Prepaid College Board will hold a media conference call to discuss an upcoming open-enrollment period. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. Media call-in number: 1-877-366-0711. Code: 67386750.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates, political committees and parties face a Tuesday deadline for filing reports about their campaign-finance activity through Sept. 30.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015

SCOTT, OTHER LEADERS AT AP EVENT: The Associated Press will hold an annual pre-legislative session event that allows reporters and editors from Florida to hear from state leaders and politicians. Among the slated speakers is Gov. Rick Scott. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. 22nd floor, the Capitol.)

LEE COUNTY DELEGATION PREPARES FOR SESSION: The Lee County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 legislative session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, Nursing Building, Fort Myers.)

'FAITH SYMPOSIUM' ADDRESSES CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong is expected to be among the speakers during the "National Faith Symposium,'' which will address issues such as child welfare and juvenile justice. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.)

HURRICANE LOSS PANEL MEETS: The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

PSC CONSIDERS CRYSTAL RIVER FINANCING PLAN: The Florida Public Service Commission will start a hearing about issues stemming from Duke Energy Florida's decision to permanently shut down the damaged Crystal River nuclear-power plant. Among the issues will be Duke's plan to use a bonding process known as "securitization" to finance costs. Lawmakers this spring passed a bill that allowed securitization. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

LEE SCHEDULES "MOBILE OFFICE HOURS:" State Sen. Tom Lee's staff will hold "mobile office hours." (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Temple Terrace City Hall, 11250 North 56th St., Temple Terrace. Also, 1 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa.)

LEGG, BURGESS HOLD TOWN HALL: Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, and Rep. Danny Burgess, R-San Antonio, will hold a town-hall meeting hosted by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Pasco-Hernando State College. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Martin, Bay and Walton counties. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Martin County Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. Also, 11 a.m. Central time, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, 309 Richard Jackson Blvd., Panama City Beach. Also, 1 p.m. Central time, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, 63 South Centre Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect Florida's military installations and missions, will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, noon. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 8784566.)

JOLLY SPEAKS TO SARASOTA GOP: Republican Congressman David Jolly, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is expected to speak to the Sarasota Republican Club. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.)

SPROWLS SPEAKS TO TARPON SPRING GOP: State Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, is expected to speak to the Republican Club of Tarpon Springs. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

SUMMIT FOCUSES ON ENERGY ISSUES: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the JAX Chamber will host the Florida Energy Summit, which will include a series of speakers and panel discussions about energy issues. The discussions will follow tours Wednesday of a Jacksonville power plant and other facilities. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)

'BALANCE BILLING' DISCUSSED: State Insurance Consumer Advocate Sha'Ron James will bring together key groups to discuss a controversial issue in the health-care industry known as "balance billing." The issue, which has spurred debates in the Legislature, involves patients receiving care from medical providers who are not within the networks of the patients' insurance companies. Patients can get hit with unexpected expenses because their insurers might only pay a portion of out-of-network costs. The debate has particularly focused on patients who are treated by out-of-network physicians in emergency rooms. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

COLLIER COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Collier County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Thursday, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., North Collier Regional Park, Exhibit Hall, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples.)

LEGG, HARRISON HOLD TOWN HALL: Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, and Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa, are slated to hold a town-hall meeting hosted by the Carrollwood Area Business Association and the Carrollwood Recreation District Center. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Carrollwood Recreation District Center, 3515 McFarland Road, Tampa.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Escambia, Miami-Dade and Lake counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Central time, Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola. Also, noon, Miami-Dade County Library, West Flagler Branch, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami. Also, 3 p.m., office of state Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, 2775 South Bay St., Unit D, Eustis.)

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

CHARLOTTE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Charlotte County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 legislative session. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda.)

PALM BEACH COUNTY DELEGATION HOLDS HEARING: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing and consider local bills as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter Campus, Student Resources Building, 5353 Parkside Dr., Jupiter.)

STATE GOP RAISES MONEY IN SOUTH FLORIDA: State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and party Chairman Blaise Ingoglia are expected to take part in a fund-raising reception for the Republican Party of Florida. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., O Lounge, 333 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Health will hold a rule-development workshop related to the process of screening children for the Children's Medical Services program. (Friday, 9 a.m., Department of Health, 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

MIAMI-DADE DELEGATION PREPARES FOR SESSION: The Miami-Dade County legislative delegation is scheduled to hold a public hearing as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida International University Stadium Club, Modesto Maidique Campus, 11310 S.W. 17th St., Miami.)

RETIREMENT SYSTEM AT ISSUE: The Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference will discuss the state employees' retirement system. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SUMMIT FOCUSES ON ENERGY ISSUES: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the JAX Chamber will host the Florida Energy Summit. (Friday, 9:45 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release September unemployment figures. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

ROSS SPEAKS TO TAMPA TIGER BAY: U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., is scheduled to speak to the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa St., Tampa.)

FINANCIAL OUTLOOKS ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will consider revised "outlooks" for state general revenue, the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, the State Schools Trust Fund and the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. (Friday, 1 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LEWIS DISCUSSES VOTING RIGHTS ACT: Georgia Congressman and longtime civil-rights leader John Lewis will talk about the Voting Rights Act during an appearance at the University of Florida. (Friday, 7 p.m., University Auditorium, 333 Newell Dr., Gainesville.)

WILCOX TO CAMPAIGN IN BROWARD: Republican businessman Todd Wilcox, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is expected to appear at the Republican Party of Broward County's "Republican Wine & Food Gala." (Friday, 7:30 p.m., Doris Italian Market, 2077 North University Dr., Coral Springs.)