The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – October 3, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016…. With little more than a month until the Nov. 8 elections, campaign events will happen across the state during the coming week. That includes expected appearances by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2016

CLYBURN CAMPAIGNS FOR CLINTON: U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is expected to make a campaign appearance in St. Augustine on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Sunday, 5:45 p.m., Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, 102 Martin Luther King Ave., St. Augustine.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2016

POWER PLANT DEAL ON THE TABLE: The state Public Service Commission will take up a proposal by Florida Power & Light to spend $451 million to buy a coal-fired power plant in Martin County. FPL currently has a long-term agreement to purchase electricity from the plant and says the proposed deal would lead to long-term savings for customers. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

MAYFIELD ON PANEL AT LIBERTY CAUCUS: State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, a Vero Beach Republican running in Senate District 17, is expected to be among a group of panelists during a meeting of the Republican Liberty Caucus of East Central Florida. (Monday, 7 p.m., Memaw's Bar-B-Q, 600 East Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach.)

BIDEN TO CAMPAIGN FOR CLINTON: Vice President Joe Biden is expected to make campaign appearances in Orlando and Sarasota on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Full details had not been released Friday morning.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2016

CABINET CONSIDERS MAJOR LAND BUY: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will take up a series of issues, including a proposed $16.1 million deal to buy about 11,000 acres of conservation land in Leon and Jefferson counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

GROUPS TARGET RUBIO: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and representatives of the National Organization for Women and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans will hold a news conference at U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's Tampa office to discuss his positions on Social Security. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Rubio Tampa office, 5201 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES DEBATE: Candidates in the Orlando area's Senate District 13 and House District 47 are expected to debate at the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. Republican Dean Asher and Democrat Linda Stewart are running in Senate District 13, while Republican incumbent Mike Miller and Democrat Beth Tuura are running in House District 47. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Dr., Orlando.)

STATE CONTRACTING DISCUSSED: The Florida Office of Supplier Diversity will start a two-day event to provide information to small businesses about state procurement. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Florida State University, Turnbull Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

STARGEL RAISES MONEY FOR RE-ELECTION BID: A campaign fundraising event will be held in Lake County for state Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican running in Senate District 22. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont.)

MAST CAMPAIGNS IN STUART: Republican Brian Mast, who is running in Congressional District 18, is scheduled to appear at a meet-and-greet fundraising event in Martin County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Pirate's Cove Marina & Resort, 4307 S.E. Bayview St., Stuart.)

WATER RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting about a proposed rate increase by East Marion Utilities LLC, which provides water and wastewater service in part of Marion County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Forest Public Library, 905 South Highway 314A, Ocklawaha.)

ROSS HITS ICE CREAM SOCIAL: U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., is expected to speak during a Greater Brandon Republican Club ice-cream social. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Farm Bureau, 100 South Mulrennan Road, Valrico.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

STATE CONTRACTING DISCUSSED: The Florida Office of Supplier Diversity will continue a two-day event to provide information to small businesses about state procurement. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Florida Department of Children and Families, Building 4, 1317 Winewood Blvd., Tallahassee.)

EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LAUDED: The Agency for Persons with Disabilities will host the "Disability Employment Awareness Celebration." (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

AIF HOLDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Associated Industries of Florida will hold its annual conference with speakers slated to include Gov. Rick Scott, state chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and state Republican Chairman Blaise Ingoglia. (Wednesday, events start at 9 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS HEALTH CARE CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a dispute about a 2003 state law that directed Sarasota County to reimburse private hospitals for indigent care. Private hospitals went to the Supreme Court after the 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled that part of the law was unconstitutional. Justices also will hear a dispute about documents disclosed in medical-malpractice lawsuits. The case stems, in part, from a 2004 constitutional amendment that sought to ensure broad access to records held by hospitals and other providers about "adverse" medical incidents. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

FELON VOTING RIGHTS AT ISSUE: 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. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BEAN SPEAKS TO WOMEN'S CLUB: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will provide a legislative update to the Women's Club of Fernandina Beach. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Women's Club of Fernandina Beach, 201 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Fernandina Beach.)

SARASOTA HOUSE CANDIDATES RAISE MONEY: A fundraising event will be held for state Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican running for re-election in House District 74; Sarasota Republican Alex Miller, who is running in House District 72; and Sarasota Republican Joe Gruters, who is running in House District 73. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, 7501 Wireless Court, Sarasota.)

CHARLOTTE WATER RATES ON THE TABLE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting on a proposed increase in water rates for Bocilla Utilities, Inc., in Charlotte County. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Tringali Park Community Center, 3460 South McCall Road, Englewood.)

DISTRICT 18 CANDIDATES DEBATE: Republican Brian Mast and Democrat Randy Perkins, who are running in Congressional District 18, are expected to take part in a debate hosted by the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Palm Beach State College, Eissey Theatre, 11051 Campus Dr., Palm Beach Gardens.)

OBAMA TO CAMPAIGN FOR CLINTON: President Barack Obama is expected to campaign in Miami for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. (Full details had not been released Friday morning.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

HOUSE CANDIDATE SPEAKS TO BUSINESS GROUP: Independent candidate Charles Messina, who is running in Southwest Florida's House District 76, is scheduled to speak to the Businesspeople United for Political Action Committee, or BUPAC. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Building AA, Fort Myers.)

AIF CONTINUES ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Associated Industries of Florida will continue its annual conference, with speakers expected to include Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

JUSTICES CONSIDER PINELLAS DEATH CASE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including an appeal by Richard Robards, who was sentenced to death in the 2006 fatal stabbings of a Pinellas County couple. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

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

JOLLY, CRIST AT TIGER BAY: Republican Congressman David Jolly and former Gov. Charlie Crist, who are running in Pinellas County's Congressional District 13, are expected to appear at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. (Thursday, noon, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.)

BOARD OF NURSING MEETS: The Florida Board of Nursing will meet in Hillsborough County. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

TANT, GILLUM SPEAK TO JACKSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS: Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum are slated to speak during the Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee's "Blues & Boots Bar-B-Q & Dance." (Thursday, 6 p.m., National Guard Armory, 3645 Highway 90 West, Marianna.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet in Palm Beach County. (Friday, 8 a.m., Hilton West Palm Beach, 600 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

BOARD OF NURSING MEETS: The Florida Board of Nursing will meet in Hillsborough County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

PETERS SPEAKS TO GOP WOMEN: State Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, is expected to speak to the Belleair Women's Republican Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., 1 Country Club Dr., Belleair.)

BEAN SPEAKS TO DENTAL GROUP: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is expected to speak at the Florida Dental Association's "Build Your Skills" legislative contact dentist-training program. (Friday, 2 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 Riverplace Boulevard, Jacksonville.)
 
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing updated finance information through Sept. 30.