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The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – October 17, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, OCTOBER 14, 2016....... Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy will battle in a televised debate Monday in a race that could help determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. The rest of the week will be filled with political events, ranging from an appearance by President Barack Obama to a debate about broadly legalizing medical marijuana.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016

BERMAN HONORED: State Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, is expected to be honored during the United South County Democratic Club annual luncheon. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Delray Beach Golf Club, 2200 Highland Ave., Delray Beach.)

HOLTON, TANT CAMPAIGN FOR CLINTON: Anne Holton, the wife of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine, will campaign in North Florida for Kaine and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Holton will appear at an invitation-only event in Tallahassee with Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant. (Sunday, 12:45 p.m., 6035 Boynton Homestead, Tallahassee. Also, 3:15 p.m. Central time, 412 Magnolia Ave., Suite C, Panama City.)

KAINE TO CAMPAIGN IN FLORIDA: Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine is expected to campaign in South Florida. (Details had not been released Friday.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016

POLLUTION NOTICE CHANGES PROPOSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will begin a series of meetings on a proposal that would create new requirements for notifying the public when pollution occurs. The proposal comes after high-profile pollution incidents. (Monday, 9 a.m., Southwest District Office, 13051 North Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace.)

EMERGENCY MEDICAL COSTS AT ISSUE: The Emergency Medical Transportation Working Group, created by state Insurance Consumer Advocate Sha'Ron James, is scheduled to hold its first meeting. The group will look at issues related to emergency-medical transportation costs that are passed on to consumers. (Monday, 9 a.m., 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

FELON VOTING RIGHTS ON TABLE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will hold a workshop on a proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights for non-violent felons. The proposal, known as the "Voter Restoration Amendment," could go on the 2018 ballot. (Monday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DEUTCH DISCUSSES 'KING TIDE': U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., will lead a discussion about high tides, known as "king tide" events, that have hit the Fort Lauderdale area. (Monday, 9 a.m., 2438 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

HEALTH CARE CAMPAIGN TOUTED: Groups such as Florida CHAIN and the League of Women Voters of Florida will hold a conference call with reporters to announce the #VoteHealthCare campaign. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-571-297-3003. PIN: 69939024.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS 'MOBILE' OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, are scheduled to hold "mobile" office hours in Okeechobee County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 55 South Parrott Ave., Okeechobee.)

DEATH PENALTY AT ISSUE: Religious leaders will hold a news conference to discuss a report that describers Hillsborough and Pinellas counties as "outliers" because of their heavy use of the death penalty. (Monday, 10 a.m., Hillsborough County Courthouse, 419 Pierce St., Tampa.)

EDWARDS MAKES A DELIVERY: State Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, will help the medical-marijuana producer Trulieve make a delivery to a patient in Broward County. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., offices of Dr. Anthony Hall, 7541 West Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill.)

HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Historical Commission is scheduled to meet. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.)

GROUPS TARGET RUBIO: Groups including the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and the Florida National Organization for Women will hold a news conference to criticize U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., about Social Security issues. (Monday, 11 a.m., Rubio's Orlando office, 201 South Orange Ave., Orlando.)

HOLTON CAMPAIGNS IN PENSACOLA: Anne Holton, wife of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine, will campaign in the Escambia County for Kaine and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Monday, 11:30 a.m. Central time, 1304 North Pace Blvd., Pensacola. Holton also is expected to make a 10:15 a.m. appearance, but details were not available Friday.)

BOARD OF OPTICIANRY HOLDS CALL: The Board of Opticianry will hold a conference call. (Monday, noon. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4552635641.)

ONLINE EDUCATION COSTS AT ISSUE: The Innovation and Online Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee of the state university system's Board of Governors will hold meetings and discuss issues such as the cost of online education. (Monday, 2 p.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Union, 4103 USF Cedar Circle, Tampa.)

BERMAN RAISES MONEY IN SD 30: A fundraising event will be held for Republican Ron Berman, who is running for an open seat in Palm Beach County's Senate District 30. (Monday, 5 p.m., Nick & Johnnie's, 207 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach.)

WATER RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting about a proposed water-rate increase by Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Utility in St. Johns County. (Monday, 6 p.m., Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Utility, 252 Yacht Harbor Utility, St. Augustine.)

RUBIO, MURPHY DEBATE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, will take part in a televised debate. (Monday, 7 p.m., University of Central Florida, Orlando.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

'HIGH PRIORITY' UNIVERSITY PROJECTS DISCUSSED: The Facilities Committee of the state university system's Board of Governors will hear presentations about "high priority" building projects at universities. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Union, 4103 USF Cedar Circle, Tampa.)

TELEHEALTH ON THE TABLE: The state's Telehealth Advisory Council, which was created to make recommendations about boosting the use of telehealth services, will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Nemours Children's Specialty Care, 807 Children's Way, Jacksonville.)

POLLUTION NOTICE CHANGES PROPOSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will continue a series of meetings on a proposal that would create new requirements for notifying the public when pollution occurs. The proposal comes after high-profile pollution incidents. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Southeast District Office, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

BROWARD LAWMAKERS CONSIDER LOCAL BILLS: The Broward County legislative delegation is scheduled to hold a local-bill workshop. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Ave., room 301, Fort Lauderdale.)

BEAN GIVES LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will provide a legislative update to the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., River City Brewing Company, 835 Museum Circle, Jacksonville.)

MEDICAID PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Medical Care Advisory Committee, which reviews issues in Florida's Medicaid program, will meet. (Tuesday, subcommittees start at 1 p.m., followed by full committee, Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

'CAT FUND' DISCUSSED: The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

WAIVER EXTENSION EYED: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will hold the first in a series of meetings about a proposed three-year extension of what is known as a federal Medicaid "waiver." The waiver is a key part of Florida's Medicaid managed-care program. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Floridians have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to register to vote in the November elections. A federal judge extended the deadline by a week because of Hurricane Matthew.

GONZALEZ DISCUSSES HEALTH CARE IN NOKOMIS: State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican who is also a physician, is expected to take part in a health-care discussion during a meeting of the NOVA Republican Club. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Nokomis Community Center, 234 Nippano Trail, Nokomis.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will meet in advance of an Oct. 25 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

POLLUTION NOTICE CHANGES PROPOSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will continue a series of meetings on a proposal that would create new requirements for notifying the public when pollution occurs. The proposal comes after high-profile pollution incidents. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., South District Office, 2295 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS 'MOBILE' OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, are scheduled to hold "mobile" office hours in Polk County. (9 a.m., Mulberry Library, 905 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry. Also, 10:30 a.m., Bartow Public Library, 2150 South Broadway Ave., Bartow. Also, 1:15 p.m., Fort Meade Community Center, 10 S.W. Third St., Fort Meade. Also, 3 p.m., Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, 15 North Magnolia Ave., Frostproof.)

BEAN TAKES TOUR, GIVES LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will tour refurbished facilities at River Garden Senior Services and give a legislative update to the Rotary Club of Southpoint. (Wednesday, 10:45 a.m., River Garden Senior Services, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville. Also, 12:15 p.m., Embassy Suites Jacksonville-Baymeadows, 9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville.)

HEALTH INSURANCE ON THE TABLE: The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board will meet. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DEUTCH SPEAKS IN HIGHLAND BEACH: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., is expected to take part in a meeting of the Highland Beach Coastal Democratic Club. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Highland Beach Library, 3618 South Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach.)

GONZALEZ RELEASES BOOK: State Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice, will release his book "The Federalist Pages." (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., The Francis, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

POLLUTION NOTICE CHANGES PROPOSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will continue a series of meetings on a proposal that would create new requirements for notifying the public when pollution occurs. The proposal comes after high-profile pollution incidents. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Central District Office, 3319 Maguire Blvd., Orlando.)

DEFENSE PANEL HOLDS CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect and expand military installations in the state, will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 8784566.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION AT ISSUE: The Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority is slated to hold a meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, 63 South Centre Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.)

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

WAIVER EXTENSION EYED: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about a proposed three-year extension of what is known as a federal Medicaid "waiver." The waiver is a key part of Florida's Medicaid managed-care program. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 6800 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.)

PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNS FOR CLINTON: President Barack Obama is slated to campaign in South Florida for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Details had not been released as of Friday afternoon.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016

ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics is scheduled to meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

WAIVER EXTENSION EYED: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about a proposed three-year extension of what is known as a federal Medicaid "waiver." The waiver is a key part of Florida's Medicaid managed-care program. (Friday, 10 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 8333 N.W. 53rd St., Doral.)

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

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATED: A debate and panel discussion will be held Nova Southeastern University about a proposed constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana. Supporting the amendment will be Ben Pollara, campaign manager of the group United for Care, and state Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura. Opposing it will be Barney Bishop, CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. (Friday, 11 a.m., Nova Southeastern University, Resnick Auditorium, 3200 South University Dr., Davie.)

NORTHEAST FLORIDA RACES ON MENU: Candidates in Congressional District 6 and state House District 13 are expected to appear at a luncheon meeting of the First Coast Tiger Bay Club. Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis and Democrat Bill McCullough are running in Congressional District 6, while Republican Mark Griffin and Democrat Tracie Davis are running in House District 13. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., University Club, 1301 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville.)

CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF IN SENATE RACE: Candidates in Hillsborough County's Senate District 18 are expected to appear at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. The candidates in the race are Republican state Rep. Dana Young, Democrat Bob Buesing and independents Joe Redner and Sheldon Upthegrove. (Friday, noon, Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa St., Tampa.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing updated finance information through Oct. 14.