The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – October 5, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, OCTOBER 2, 2015….. Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol next week for committee meetings as they continue to prepare for the 2016 legislative session. Senate committees will consider tax-cut bills, while a House panel will take up a potentially controversial measure stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples have fundamental right to marry. The House bill would seek to provide legal protections to churches and clergy members if they refuse to perform marriages that violate their beliefs.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015

SENATE CANDIDATES SPEAK TO ALACHUA DEMS: U.S. Senate candidates Pam Keith, Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy are expected to speak at the Alachua County Democratic Party's Lawton Chiles Gala. (Sunday, 7 p.m., UF Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, 1714 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville.)

REVAMPED POWERBALL STARTS: Changes will take effect Sunday in the Florida Lottery's Powerball game, with odds getting longer to win jackpots. The odds of matching the numbers on a single $2 ticket with the numbers on the drawn balls will grow from about 1 in 175 million to 1 in 292 million. At the same time, players' chances of winning the game's smallest prizes will increase. The changes take effect Sunday, when sales begin for Wednesday's drawing.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015

Legislature:

AUDITS PROPOSED FOR CITRUS, WALTON COUNTIES: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will consider a series of issues, including a request by Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, for an audit related to Citrus County and a request by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, for an audit related to Walton County. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ADDRESS CITIZENS INSURANCE: Rep. Dwight Dudley, D-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, will hold a news conference to discuss the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., House media room, 333 Capitol, the Capitol.)

TAX HOLIDAY DISCUSSED: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will consider a proposal (SB 198), filed by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, that calls for holding a 10-day "sales-tax holiday" in August 2016. As in past years, shoppers would be able to buy clothes, backpacks, school supplies and other items without paying sales taxes during the period. (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PRISONS AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hear a presentation from Corrections Secretary Julie Jones about the state prison system, which has been under heavy scrutiny because of issues such as inmate abuse and alleged cover-ups. Also, the committee will consider a proposal (SPB 7006) that includes creating a third-degree felony charge for prison workers who harm inmates by taking actions such as withholding food, water or medical services. (Monday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

GADSDEN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Gadsden County legislative delegation, which is made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, will hold a public hearing in preparation for the 2016 session. (Monday, 7 p.m., Gadsden County Commission, 9 East Jefferson St., Quincy.)

Also:

JOLLY SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY: Republican Congressman David Jolly, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is expected to speak to the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. (Monday, noon., Banquet Masters, 13355 49th St. North, Clearwater.)

CHILDREN'S ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet will meet. (Monday, 1 p.m., Florida Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES KEY TOPIC: The Controlled Substances Standards Committee of the Florida Board of Pharmacy will meet and discuss the possibility of changing regulations about the dispensing of pain medications. The meeting comes as many patients say they are having a difficult time getting prescriptions filled for powerful painkillers. (Monday, 2 p.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

PIPELINE HEARING IN OKEECHOBEE: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will continue a series of public hearings about pipeline projects that would bring natural gas from Alabama to power plants and other customers in Florida. One of the pipelines would run from Alabama to Central Florida, while another would link to Southeast Florida. NextEra Energy, the parent of Florida Power & Light, is a key player in the projects. (Monday, 6 p.m., Indian River State College, Williamson Conference Center, 2229 N.W. Ninth Ave., Okeechobee.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

Legislature:

CARRYING FIREARMS AT ISSUE: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 163), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry firearms. The bill also calls for other changes in gun-related laws, including giving direction for judges to use "strict scrutiny" when reviewing laws dealing with the right to bear arms or self defense. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PERFORMANCE FUNDING DISCUSSED: The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee will receive presentations about performance funding in the Florida College System and the State University System. The Education Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to hear from Madeline Pumariega,, chancellor of the Florida College System, and a panel of the system's Council of Presidents. (Tuesday, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building. Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee, 3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL REVIEWS UTILITY ISSUES: The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will discuss a law passed this spring that calls for changes at the Florida Public Service Commission and in the utility industry. The law, in part, limits future Public Service Commissioners to three consecutive four-year terms, requires utilities to notify customers of the best available rates and prevents electric utilities from charging higher rates through extensions of billing cycles. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS UPDATED ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive an update about how the state is carrying out a 2014 law that allows the sale and use of non-euphoric types of medical marijuana. Backers of the law said it could help patients such as children with severe forms of epilepsy, but the cannabis remains unavailable, at least in part because of delays stemming from legal disputes. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CORPORATE TAX CUT CONSIDERED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will take up a proposal (SB 76), filed by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, that would increase the corporate income-tax exemption from $50,000 to $75,000. Increasing the exemption would reduce --- or even potentially eliminate --- tax bills for businesses. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

COMMERCIAL LEASE TAX ON THE TABLE: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will consider a series of issues, including a proposal (SB 116) that calls for reducing a tax on commercial leases from 6 percent to 5 percent. The proposal, filed by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, is a priority for some business groups. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL CONSIDERS HELP FOR COMBAT VETERANS: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security Committee will take up a proposal (SB 128), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would help combat veterans and their families get mental-health and substance-abuse services. The bill would direct the Florida Department of Children and Families to help establish the "Florida Combat Veterans' Care Coordination Program." (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE MEMBERS HEAR BUDGET REQUESTS: House appropriations subcommittees will holds a series of meetings to hear agency budget requests. (Tuesday, House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building. Also, House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, noon, Morris Hall, House Office Building. Also, House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building. Also, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Ethics and Elections Committee (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Innovation Subcommittee (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

PHARMACY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Pharmacy will start two days of meetings. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

SEMINOLE JUDGE FACES REPRIMAND: The Florida Supreme Court will take up five cases, including issuing a public reprimand to Seminole County Judge Debra Krause because of an improper Facebook post. Krause also agreed to a 30-day suspension after an investigation by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission about whether she violated judicial canons. The case stemmed from a Facebook post when Krause's husband, Mitch, was running for circuit judge. Debra Krause thought that one of her husband's opponents, Susan Stacy, was mischaracterizing facts and asked people on Facebook to "flood" Stacy's campaign site. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

LEE SCHEDULES "MOBILE OFFICE HOURS:" State Sen. Tom Lee's staff will hold "mobile office hours." (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce, 1651 Sun City Center Plaza, Sun City Center. Also, 1 p.m., Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Dr., Riverview.)

HIGHER EDUCATION PANEL MEETS: The state Higher Education Coordinating Council will meet. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Virtual Campus, 1753 West Paul Dirac Dr., Tallahassee.)

RETIREMENT SYSTEM AT ISSUE: The Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference will discuss the state employees' retirement system. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PIPELINE HEARING IN MARION COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will continue holding a series of public hearings about pipeline projects that would bring natural gas from Alabama to power plants and other customers in Florida. One of the pipelines would run from Alabama to Central Florida, while another would link to Southeast Florida. NextEra Energy, the parent of Florida Power & Light, is a key player in the projects. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Dunnellon Middle School, 21005 Chestnut St., Dunnellon.)

SCOTT RECRUITS BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK: Gov. Rick Scott is scheduled to start a three-day trip to New York to try to recruit businesses to Florida.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015

Legislature:

PRISON RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriation Subcommittee will hear a series of presentations about prison re-entry programs. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION DISCUSSED: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an update about the state's vocational-rehabilitation program. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CITRUS INDUSTRY, SPRINGS GET SENATE ATTENTION: The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a report about challenges facing Florida's citrus industry and also will hear a presentation from the Department of Environmental Protection about natural springs. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHILDREN'S HEALTH, HOSPITAL FUNDING AT ISSUE: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive information about the Children's Medical Services and Early Steps programs and will receive an update about the Low Income Pool program, which sends additional money to hospitals and other providers that care for large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANUCCIO ADDRESSES SENATE PANEL: The Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will hear a presentation from Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, about issues related to unemployment compensation and economic-development incentives. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT CHILD WELFARE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families about child welfare and will receive a presentation from the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHURCH-MARRIAGE BILL HEARD IN HOUSE: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 43), filed by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, and Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, that seeks to protect churches and clergy members if they refuse to perform marriages that violate their beliefs. The bill stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that said same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

STRUGGLING READERS, TEACHER TRAINING ON AGENDA: The House K-12 Subcommittee will hear presentations about instruction for struggling readers and teacher training. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEED UP: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee will hold a workshop about high-school athletics. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PROPERTY TAXES AT ISSUE: The House Finance & Tax Committee will hold a workshop on property taxes. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Education Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Local & Federal Affairs Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

JUSTICES HEAR HEALTH-CARE ARBITRATION CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a pair of cases that involve whether medical negligence and malpractice claims should go to arbitration. One of the cases involves a lawsuit against a Miami-Dade County nursing home, while the other involves a lawsuit against an Orange County doctor. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases involving crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

AGENCIES HONOR EMPLOYERS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: The state Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Blind Services and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will present awards to businesses with histories of employing people with disabilities. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Tallahassee City Commission, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Orange and Broward counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Transportation Village in Bithlo, 12715 Pegasus Dr., Orlando. Also, 4 p.m., Tamarac Branch Library, 8701 West Commercial Blvd., Tamarac.)

VETERANS HALL OF FAME DISCUSSED: The Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Council will discuss issues including the hall of fame's class of 2016. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PIPELINE HEARING IN POLK COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will continue a series of public hearings about pipeline projects that would bring natural gas from Alabama to power plants and other customers in Florida. One of the pipelines would run from Alabama to Central Florida, while another would link to Southeast Florida. NextEra Energy, the parent of Florida Power & Light, is a key player in the projects. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Davenport School of the Arts, 4751 County Road 547, Davenport.)

SIMPSON DISCUSSES NATIONAL DEBT: Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., will speak about the national debt during an event hosted by the University of Florida's Bob Graham Center for Public Service and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., University of Florida, Pugh Hall Ocora, Gainesville.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

Legislature:

CHILD WELFARE AT ISSUE: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will receive reports about child welfare and review a proposed child-welfare bill. Among the speakers will be Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE SEAL REVIEWED: The Senate Rules Committee will begin considering whether to keep the Confederate flag on the Senate's official seal. Under Senate rules, the seal includes "a fan of the five flags which have flown over Florida" --- those of the United States, Confederate States of America, France, Great Britain and Spain. But Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, requested in June that the committee consider whether the seal should be changed. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES: The House Economic Affairs Committee will receive presentations about economic incentives, including a presentation by Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BOATERS AND LANDOWNERS AT ISSUE: The House State Affairs Committee will hold a workshop about issues related to conflicts between landowners and boaters. Such conflicts can arise when boaters anchor near landowners' property. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSIONS DETAILED: The Senate Transportation Committee will hear a presentation from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability about driver license suspensions. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HEALTH CARE EXPENSES DISCUSSED: The Senate Appropriations Committee will receive a presentation about the economics of health-care spending and a presentation about factors influencing the price of health insurance. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

DUVAL DEATH PENALTY CASE AT SUPREME COURT: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three criminal cases, including a death-penalty appeal by Justin McMillian, who was convicted in Duval County of a fatal shooting in 2009. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC PRESIDENT: An inauguration ceremony will be held for Florida Polytechnic University President Randy Avent, who was chosen last year to lead the state's newest university. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Florida Polytechnic University, Innovation Science & Technology Building, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)

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

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Hendry, Holmes, Glades, DeSoto, Osceola and Highlands counties. (10 a.m., Clewiston Public Library, 120 West Osceola Ave., Clewiston. Also, 10 a.m. Central time, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, 106 East Byrd Ave., Bonifay. Also, noon, Glades County Library, 201 Riverside Dr., Moore Haven. Also, 2:30 p.m., DeSoto County Library, 125 North Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia. Also, 3 p.m., West Osceola Branch Library, 305 Campus St., Kissimmee. Also, 5 p.m., Sebring Public Library, 319 West Center Ave., Sebring.)

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

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings earlier in the day. (Thursday, 1 p.m., district headquarters, 81 Water Management Dr., Havana.)

CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION AT ISSUE: The University of Florida will host two panel discussions looking ahead to the 2017 Constitution Revision Commission. Discussions will be led by former state House Speaker Jon Mills and former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham. The event's sponsors include the university's Bob Graham Center for Public Service. (Thursday, 4 p.m., University of Florida Levin College of Law, Holland Hall, Gainesville.)

WALTER SPEAKS AT TALLAHASSEE TIGER BAY: Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, will speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Thursday, 8 p.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

PIPELINE HEARING IN GILCHRIST COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will continue a series of public hearings about pipeline projects that would bring natural gas from Alabama to power plants and other customers in Florida. One of the pipelines would run from Alabama to Central Florida, while another would then link to Southeast Florida. NextEra Energy, the parent of Florida Power & Light, is a key player in the projects. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Bell Middle/High School, 930 South Main St., Bell.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will take up disciplinary issues involving physicians from across the state, after holding a series of committee meetings Thursday. (Friday, 8 a.m., B Resort, 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

FSU TRUSTEES GATHER IN TALLAHASSEE: The Florida State University Board of Trustees will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Alumni Association Grand Ballroom, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

CHILD ABUSE PANEL HOLDS CALL: The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Friday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 702-170-0355.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Escambia County. (Friday, 10 a.m. Central time, Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola.)

CRESPO SPEAKS TO OKALOOSA DEMOCRATS: Henry Crespo Sr., president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, will speak at the Okaloosa County Democratic Party's Kennedy King Dinner. (Friday, 6:30 p.m., Wyndham Garden Hotel, 573 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach.)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015

SENATE CANDIDATES APPEAR AT GOP WOMEN'S CONVENTION: U.S. Senate candidates Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Ron DeSantis are expected to take part in a forum that is part of a Florida Federation of Republican Women convention. (Saturday, registration begins at 6 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando.)