The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – September 1, 2014

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, AUGUST 29, 2014…..After a search process shadowed by controversy, Florida State University could start moving closer next week to finding a new president. A committee is expected to select finalists after an application deadline passes. Meanwhile, the state's gubernatorial race will continue to rumble along, with Republican Gov. Rick Scott touring the state to tout tax-cut plans.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

LABOR DAY: State government offices will be closed for Labor Day.

REGISTRATION FEE CUTS TAKE EFFECT: A law that reduces vehicle-registration fees will take effect. The law, pushed by Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders, will roll back fee increases approved in 2009 as the state grappled with budget shortfalls.

SCOTT TO START TAX CUT TOUR: Gov. Rick Scott is expected to start a two-week campaign tour to pitch plans for making additional tax cuts if he is re-elected.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

FSU GRADUATE ASSISTANTS CALL FOR BETTER PAY: Graduate assistants and other students will hold a rally to call for such things as higher stipends for graduate assistants. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., FSU Training Center, 493 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee.)

FSU PRESIDENT APPLICATIONS DUE: Tuesday is the application deadline for candidates seeking to become president of Florida State University. The university is searching for a permanent replacement for Eric Barron, who resigned earlier this year to become president of Penn State University.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014

CHILD PROTECTION AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Children and Families will start a three-day summit on child-protection issues. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. opening session, Orlando World Center Marriott, 8701 World Center Dr., Orlando.)

WYLLIE TO CAMPAIGN IN LEE COUNTY: Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie is scheduled to speak to the Libertarian Party of Lee County. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Fort Myers.)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

ELECTIONS RESULTS CERTIFIED: The Florida Elections Canvassing Commission is scheduled to meet to certify the results of the Aug. 26 primary elections. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

FEDERAL JUDGE CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED: A nominating commission will interview 15 candidates for a U.S. district judge position in the Southern District of Florida. After conducting the interviews, the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission will forward the names of finalists to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, 400 North Miami Ave., Miami.)

PSC TO MEET: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting and then will move into a discussion of Duke Energy Florida billing charges related to new meter-reading routes. The Duke issue has drawn scrutiny because some customers could see one-time increases in their monthly bills, though Duke has pledged to credit affected customers. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.) 

UF TRUSTEES HOLD RETREAT, COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The University of Florida Board of Trustees will start a two-day retreat and also will hold some committee meetings. (Thursday, noon, Austin Cary Forest Learning Center, 10625 N.W. Waldo Road, Gainesville.)

CITRUS COMMISSION TO HOLD CLOSED SESSION: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet in a closed executive session to discuss litigation involving AgroSource, Inc. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

GRAHAM TO DISCUSS AMENDMENT 1: Former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham will host an event to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the state to set aside money for land-conservation efforts. The proposal will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 1. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Pugh Hall, the University of Florida, Gainesville.)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

MARIJUANA RULE DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Health will hold a rule hearing that stems from a new law allowing a type of medical marijuana in Florida. That type of marijuana does not get users high, and supporters say it can help people such as children who suffer from a severe type of epilepsy. (Friday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida Historical Commission will meet through a conference call. (Friday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-670-3525. Passcode: 7911101420.)

FSU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PANEL MEETS: Florida State University's Presidential Search Advisory Committee will meet to discuss candidates and select finalists. The university is seeking a permanent replacement for Eric Barron, who resigned earlier this year to become president of Penn State University. (Friday, 10 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

UCF TRUSTEES TO DISCUSS LABOR ISSUES: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will hold a teleconference to discuss a series of labor-related issues. (Friday, 11:15 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Passcode: 463796.)

UF PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH DISCUSSED: The University of Florida Board of Trustees' Committee on Governance and its Presidential Search Committee's Subcommittee on Compensation will hold a joint meeting. That will be followed by a meeting of the Presidential Search Committee. (Friday, noon, Austin Cary Forest Learning Center, 10625 N.E. Waldo Road, Gainesville.)

TAMPA BAY HOUSE CANDIDATES AT TIGER BAY: The Suncoast Tiger Bay Club will host candidates in Tampa Bay-area House districts 64,66, 68 and 69. (Friday, noon, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.)

BONDI TO TALK ABOUT PROTECTING CONSUMERS: Attorney General Pam Bondi will host a consumer-protection fair for seniors. (Friday, 1 p.m., Collier County South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Candidates and political committees are required to file updated campaign-finance reports that include contributions and expenditures through Aug. 29.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014

NEW COLLEGE BOARD TO MEET: The New College of Florida Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Saturday, committee meetings start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Board of Trustees meeting, Sudakoff Conference Center, 5845 General Dougher Place, Pei Campus, Sarasota.)