The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – September 29, 2014

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Rick Scott and Florida lawmakers are out on the campaign trail. But some of their work from the 2014 legislative session is still playing out. More than 30 new laws will take effect Wednesday, including a plan to regulate the parasailing industry and an attempt to crack down on sex offenders. Also during the coming week, the Florida Public Service Commission will plow back into a controversial issue about nuclear-power projects.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

CRIST TO ATTEND ALACHUA DEMS EVENT: Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist will speak at the Alachua County Democratic Party's annual Lawton Chiles Gala. (Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Hilton/UF Conference Center, 1714 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville.)

WYLLIE RAISES MONEY IN DUVAL: Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie is expected to attend a fundraising dinner in Duval County. (Sunday, 7 p.m., Nippers Beach Grille, 2309 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

BOARD OF EDUCATION TO MEET: State Board of Education members will meet in Tampa and consider a variety of issues, including a proposed 2015-16 legislative budget request. (Monday, 9 a.m., Tampa Airport Marriott, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa.)

CHAMBER FORUM STARTS: The Florida Chamber Foundation will start the three-day "Future of Florida Forum," which will focus on issues such as water, the economy and health care and will draw state leaders and economic-development officials. Expected panelists Monday include Attorney General Pam Bondi; state Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford; state Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton; state Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice; state Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta; state Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville; and state Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres. (Monday, noon, Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Marco Island. (Monday, noon, Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, 1102 North Collier Blvd., Marco Island.)

CRIST TO RAISE MONEY IN SARASOTA: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist is expected to raise money at a reception in Sarasota. (Monday, 5 p.m., Social Eatery and Bar, 1219 First St., Sarasota.)

TADDEO TO SPEAK AT UF: Annette Taddeo, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, is scheduled to speak during a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the University of Florida. (Monday, 7 p.m., University of Florida, Pugh Hall Ocora, Gainesville.)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

CHAMBER FORUM CONTINUES: The Florida Chamber Foundation will continue the three-day "Future of Florida Forum," which will focus on issues such as water, the economy and health care and will draw state leaders and economic-development officials. Expected speakers and panelists Tuesday include Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera; state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater; state Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio; state university system Chancellor Marshall Criser; House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel; state Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples; state Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park; and state Rep. Bryan Nelson, R-Apopka. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

HURRICANE LOSS PANEL TO MEET: The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet. That will follow a series of preliminary meetings Monday. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts Convention Center, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

FPL METERS AT ISSUE: The state Public Service Commission will hold a hearing on a proposal that involves additional charges for some Florida Power & Light customers who do not want to use "smart" meters. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Broward, Lee and Duval counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Northwest Regional Library, 3151 North University Dr., Coral Springs. Also, noon, Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, 25 Homestead Road North, Lehigh Acres. Also, 1 p.m., Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus, 501 West State St., Jacksonville.)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet in Tampa. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. Highway 301, Tampa.)

SILVERS TO RAISE MONEY IN HD 89: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Democrat David Silvers, who is trying to unseat state Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, in House District 89. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Salt7, 32 S.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATED: Former House Speaker and University of Florida law-school Dean Jon Mills and Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell are expected to take part in a panel discussion about a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., University of Florida, Pugh Hall Ocora, Gainesville.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

CHAMBER FORUM CONCLUDES: The Florida Chamber Foundation will wrap up its three-day "Future of Florida Forum," and the Florida Chamber Board of Governors will meet. Among the expected speakers are Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Florida Power & Light President Eric Silagy, who is the Florida Chamber's chairman. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Old City Hall, 315 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Also, 2 p.m., St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 Fifth St. North, St. Petersburg.)

NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT: As October starts, 32 new state laws will take effect, including long-sought regulations on Florida's commercial parasailing industry, a measure about crimes against unborn children and attempts to crack down on sexual offenders and human trafficking.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014

PSC TO MEET: The Florida Public Service Commission will meet and consider issues such as the need for a new Duke Energy Florida power plant in Citrus County. The commission's regular meeting will be followed by a special meeting about nuclear-project costs for Duke and Florida Power & Light. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office will hold "mobile office hours" in Hardee and Polk counties. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Hardee County Library, 315 North Sixth Ave., Wauchula. Also, 2 p.m., Bartow Library, 2150 South Broadway Ave., Bartow.)

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

FORUMS HELD ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA: The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida will start holding a series of forums across the state about medical marijuana. The forums come after lawmakers this spring approved a bill allowing the use of non-euphoric strains of cannabis and as voters prepare to cast ballots in November on a proposal to allow broader use of medical marijuana. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Florida Coastal School of Law, 8787 Baypine Road, Jacksonville. Also, 6 p.m., Pensacola Library, 239 North Spring St., Pensacola.)

MEET THE PRESS HOST IN TALLAHASSEE: Chuck Todd, moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," will speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Thursday, 6:45 p.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

JOLLY TO SPEAK TO GOP CLUB: U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., is expected to speak to the Belleair Women's Republican Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Belleair Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Belleair.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees are required to file updated finance reports, showing contributions and expenditures through Sept. 26.