The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – September 21, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015…..With state lawmakers unable to reach agreement on a plan, the long-running battle about redrawing Florida's congressional districts will be on display next week at the Leon County Courthouse. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has the difficult task of sorting through a series of proposals and recommending a congressional map to the Florida Supreme Court.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet in South Florida and take up performance-funding improvement plans for Daytona State College, Pensacola State College, College of Central Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College and Northwest Florida State College. (Monday, 9 a.m., The SEED School of Miami, 15800 N.W. 42nd Ave., FIU/FMU Auditorium, Miami Gardens.)

PAIN MEDICATION PRESCRIPTIONS AT ISSUE: The Controlled Substances Standards Subcommittee of the Florida Board of Pharmacy will discuss issues related to dispensing pain medications. Many patients say they are having difficulties filling prescriptions for controlled substances that help them cope with pain. (Monday, 10 a.m., Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

PUTNAM DISCUSSES FRUIT FLY INFESTATION: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will provide an update about an Oriental fruit fly infestation in Miami-Dade County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Incident Command, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Martin County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Martin County Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart.)

CLAWSON HOLDS DISTRICT MEETINGS: U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., will continue holding a series of district meetings in Southwest Florida. (Monday, noon, Sanibel Public Library, 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Also, 5:30 p.m., Fort Myers Public Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers.)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DISCUSSED IN BROWARD: The Broward County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing about health and human-services issues. (Monday, 4 p.m., Larkins Community Center, 520 N.W. Third St., Pompano Beach.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS DISCUSSED: The state Office of Greenways and Trails will continue a series of meetings across the state to seek public input about "opportunity maps" for the state's network of trails. (Monday, 4 p.m., Sarasota/Manatee MPO conference room, 7632 15th St. East, Sarasota.)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

PINELLAS COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Pinellas County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., St. Petersburg College Digitorium, 9200 113th St. North, Seminole.)

UNIVERSITY FACILITIES, FUNDING ISSUES EYED: The Facilities Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee of the state university system's Board of Governors will hold workshops to discuss issues such as performance-based funding. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

HURRICANE LOSS PROJECTIONS DISCUSSED: The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology will hold a series of committee meetings. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

CONSUMER PROTECTIONS DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will provide information about consumer protections during a "consumer protection fair" in Palm Beach County. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Clayton E. Hutcheson Agricultural Service Center, 559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach.)

FINANCIAL SAFETY HELP OFFERED TO SENIORS: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold a free workshop to help teach seniors, their family members and caregivers about financial safety. The workshop will address issues such as protecting seniors from scams. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Lantana Public Library, 4020 Lantana Road, Lake Worth.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD CONSIDERS BUDGET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will consider a millage rate and budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year. (Tuesday, 5:05 p.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD TAKES UP BUDGET: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a 2015-16 budget and millage rates. (Tuesday, 5:15 p.m., South Florida Water Management District auditorium, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

SANTA ROSA DELEGATION MEETS: The Santa Rosa County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, and Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola Beach, will hold a public hearing in preparation for the 2016 session. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex, 6495 Caroline St., Milton.)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Sept. 29 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

INDIAN RIVER DELEGATION MEETS: The Indian River County legislative delegation, which is made up of Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Vero Beach City Council chamber, 1053 20th Place, Vero Beach.)

UNION COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Union County legislative delegation, which is made up of Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, and Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, will meet in preparation for the 2016 session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Union County Commission chamber, 55 West Main St., Lake Butler.)

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.)

HURRICANE LOSS PROJECTIONS DISCUSSED: The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology will continue a series of committee meetings. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Okeechobee County. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., Okeechobee.)

GRIMSLEY'S OFFICE HOLDS OUTREACH EVENT: State Sen. Denise Grimsley's office will hold an "outreach for families" event in Polk County. The event will include a presentation by the Department of Children and Families and financial screenings for referrals to prevention services and programs. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Polk County Agriculture Center, 1710 U.S. Highway 17 South, Bartow.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS DISCUSSED: The state Office of Greenways and Trails will continue a series of meetings across the state to seek public input about "opportunity maps" for the state's network of trails. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Carr Building, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

JUDGE HEARS REDISTRICTING ARGUMENTS: Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis will hold a hearing about proposed congressional redistricting plans. The Florida Supreme Court in July found that eight current districts violate the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards approved by voters in 2010. Lewis will consider maps proposed by the House, the Senate, voting-rights groups and a group of individual plaintiffs. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

MARTIN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Martin County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Martin County Commission chamber, 2401 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart.)

HISTORIC GRANTS REVIEWED: The Florida Historical Commission will review and rank special-category grant projects. (Thursday, 9 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA WATER AT ISSUE: The Central Florida Water Initiative Steering Committee will meet in Kissimmee. The committee includes representatives of the St. Johns River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Tohopekaliga Water Authority. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., TOHO Water Authority, 951 Martin Luther King Blvd., Kissimmee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Palm Beach, St. Johns and Bradford counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Acreage Branch Library, 15801 Orange Blvd., Loxahatchee. Also, 10 a.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach. Also, noon, Bradford County Senior Center, 1805 North Temple Ave., Starke.)

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

CITIZENS 'DEPOPULATION' UPDATED: The Consumer Services Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors will hold a conference call and receive an update about efforts to move customers into the private insurance market --- a concept known as "depopulation." (Thursday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. Code: 6487811621#)

DUVAL DELEGATION HOLDS HEARING: The Duval County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing on local bills in preparation for the 2016 session, which starts in January. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Jacksonville City Hall, 117 West Duval St., Jacksonville.)

UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding a series of committee meetings earlier in the day. (Thursday, 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, Orlando.)

JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Broward County legislative delegation will hold a meeting about juvenile-justice and criminal-justice issues. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS DISCUSSED: The state Office of Greenways and Trails will continue a series of meetings across the state to seek public input about "opportunity maps" for the state's network of trails. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Fort George Island Cultural State Park, The Ribault Club, 11241 Fort George Road, Jacksonville.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD WADES INTO BUDGET: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will take up a proposed budget and millage rate for the 2015-16 fiscal year. (Thursday, 5:05 p.m., Gulf Coast State College, Student Union East, 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City.)

LAWMAKERS DISCUSS ISSUES WITH SARASOTA GOP: Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice, are expected to speak to the Sarasota Republican Club about legislative issues. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Marina Jack Restaurant, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.)

TAYLOR SPEAKS TO VOLUSIA DEMOCRATS: State Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, is expected to speak during a fund-raising dinner for the Southeast Volusia Democratic Club. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 820 West Park Ave., Edgewater.)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

PUTNAM, LAWMAKERS AT AIF WATER FORUM: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson and several state lawmakers will take part in an Associated Industries of Florida forum on water issues. The lawmakers are expected to include Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Chairman Charlie Dean, R-Inverness; Senate Community Affairs Chairman Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; Senate General Government Appropriations Chairman Alan Hays, R-Umatilla; House State Affairs Chairman Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers; Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton; House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Chairman Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula; Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello; Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota; and Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation. (Friday, 9 a.m., Renaissance Orlando at Sea World, 6677 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando.)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Friday, 9 a.m., Hillsborough Community College Brandon Campus, Student Services Building auditorium, 10414 East Columbus Dr., Tampa.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Hillsborough, Indian River, St. Lucie and Pinellas counties. (Friday, 10 a.m., Westchase Recreation Center, 9791 Westchase Dr., Tampa. Also, 10 a.m., North Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian. Also, 1 p.m., Port St. Lucie City Hall, Building A, 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Also, 2 p.m., Safety Harbor Public Library, 101 Second St. North, Safety Harbor.)

MEDICAID DRUGS DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration's Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics Committee will consider recommendations for the preferred-drug list in the Medicaid program. (Friday, 1 p.m., Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The St. Lucie County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2016 session. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Indian River State College, Kight Center, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce.)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

POWELL HONORED: State Rep. Bobby Powell, D-Riviera Beach, will be honored during a community roast held by the Together We Stand Democratic Club of Palm Beach County. (Saturday, 11 a.m., Airport Hilton, 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach.)