Get free daily email updates
Search
Search Story Archive
 

 MEN

Advances:  Week of December 16, 2018

By News Service Florida Staff

 

TALLAHASSEE --- With his fierce support of charter schools and voucher-type programs, former House Speaker Richard Corcoran has been a controversial figure in Florida education circles.

Corcoran used his power as speaker the past two years to push through bills that pleased school-choice supporters --- but angered many teachers and public-school officials.

Now, Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican, appears on the verge of becoming Florida education commissioner.

The State Board of Education will meet Monday in Tallahassee to consider a successor for outgoing Commissioner Pam Stewart. Corcoran, who has the backing of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, is the only candidate listed on the board’s agenda.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018

DOZIER MEMORIAL AT ISSUE: The Dozier Memorial & Monument Review Committee will meet to discuss plans for a memorial for victims of abuse at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Jackson County. The reform school closed in 2011 and has drawn widespread attention because of disclosures about abuse and the discovery of graves on the site. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education will consider appointment of a new education commissioner. Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis this month endorsed former House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, for the post. Pam Stewart, the current commissioner, plans to step down Jan. 8. (Monday, 10 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Hillsborough County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Maureen Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa. Also, 2 p.m., Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road West, Lutz.)

DESANTIS ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS CALL; Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture will hold a conference call. The committee is chaired by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla. (Monday, 1 p.m. A conference call number will be provided at www.DeSantisTransition.com.)

VOLUSIA LAWMAKERS MEET: The Volusia County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2019 legislative session. The delegation is made up of Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs; Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine; Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach; Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand; Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach; Rep. David Santiago, R-Deltona; and Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast. (Monday, 1 p.m., Daytona Beach City Commission chamber, 301 South Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach.)

PASCO COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Pasco County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater; Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa; Rep. Amber Mariano, R-Hudson; Rep. Ardian Zika, R-Land O’ Lakes; and Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills. (Monday, 1 p.m., Pasco County School Board, 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Building 3, Land O’ Lakes.)

ALACHUA DELEGATION MEETS: The Alachua County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville; Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny; Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry; and Rep. Clovis Watson Jr., D-Alachua, will meet. (Monday, 2 p.m., Santa Fe College Northwest Campus, Fine Arts Hall, 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville.)

CALOOSAHATCHEE WATER QUALTY AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a workshop about what are known as “total maximum daily loads” for impaired waters in the Caloosahatchee River Basin. (Monday, 3 p.m., city of Clewiston John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owen Avenue B, Clewiston.)

LEON COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Leon County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee; Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee; Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee; and Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello. (Monday, 5 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, commission chamber, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

ESCAMBIA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Escambia County legislative delegation will meet. The delegation is made up of Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze; Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola; and Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Pensacola State College, Jean and Paul Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018

GENERAL REVENUE NUMBERS REVISED: State analysts are slated to revise estimates of general-revenue taxes, which play a key role in funding Florida’s schools, health-care programs and prison system. The analysts, meeting as the state Revenue Estimating Conference, huddle periodically during the year to review data and update such things as sales-tax estimates. The process is closely watched in the Capitol, with the results helping determine how much money the Legislature will have for the state budget. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PINELLAS COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Pinellas County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg; Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater; Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg; Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor; Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa; Rep. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach; Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater; Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Jennifer Webb, D-Gulfport; and Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., St. Petersburg College, Seminole Campus, 9200 113th St. North, Seminole.)

CALOOSAHATCHEE WATER QUALTY AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold meetings to discuss the Caloosahatchee Estuary Basin Management Action Plan and the Everglades West Coast Basin Management Action Plan. (Tuesday, Caloosahatchee meeting at 9 a.m., Everglades meeting at 1 p.m., South Florida Water Management District Lower West Coast Service Center, 2301 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.)

BROWARD DELEGATION HOLDS HEARING: The Broward County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing and consider local bills. Topics are expected to include education, cultural affairs and health and human services. Here is a link to members of the Broward delegation. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., City of Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade, Seminole, Lee, Manatee, Nassau and Duval counties. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Miami-Dade County Government Center, 111 N.W.  First St., Miami. Also, 10 a.m., Winter Springs Senior Center, 400 North Edgemon Ave., Winter Springs. Also, 10 a.m., Southwest Florida Military Museum, 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral. Also, 1 p.m., Downtown Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Ave. West, Bradenton. Also, 2 p.m., Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd., Fernandina Beach. Also, 3 p.m., Duval County Library, Southeast Branch, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville.)

DESANTIS ECONOMIC COMMITTEE MEETS: Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on the Economy will meet in Hillsborough County. The committee is chaired by former House Speaker Will Weatherford. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., University of South Florida Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, 124 South Franklin St., Tampa. A conference call number will be provided at www.DeSantisTransition.com.)

CLAY COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Clay County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, Rep. Travis Cummings, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, will meet. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Clay County Commission chamber, 477 Houston St., Green Cove Springs.)

KIRKMAN ROAD PROJECT AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing in Orange County about a proposed project that includes extending Kirkman Road from Universal Boulevard to Carrier Drive. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9800 International Dr., Orlando.)

OKALOOSA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Okaloosa County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, Rep. Mel Ponder, R-Destin, and Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Room SSC 302, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018

CITRUS ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet in Polk County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

PAROLE CASES ON THE AGENDA: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will take up parole cases from across the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

ROTH, WILLHITE SPEAK AT COLLEGE GRADUATION: State Rep. Rick Roth, R-Loxahatchee, and Rep. Matt Willhite, D-Wellington, will speak at morning and afternoon graduation ceremonies for Palm Beach State College. (Wednesday, Roth at 9:30 a.m., Willhite at 2 p.m., South Florida Fair Expo Center, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)

DESANTIS EDUCATION COMMITTEE HOLDS CALL; Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on Education & Workforce Development will hold a conference call. The committee is chaired by State Board of Education Chairwoman Marva Johnson and Volusia County developer Mori Hosseini. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. A conference call number will be provided at www.DeSantisTransition.com.)

GULF POWER PERMIT AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting about a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System draft renewal permit for Gulf Power’s James F. Crist Generating Plant. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 8851 Lewis St., Pensacola.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Clay, Miami-Dade and Alachua counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Clay County Council on Aging, 604 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs. Also, noon, South Dade Regional Library, 10750 S.W. 211th St., Cutler Bay. Also, 1 p.m., Gainesville Main Library, 401 East University Ave., Gainesville.)

DENTAL BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Dentistry will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4552635641)

DESANTIS HEALTH COMMITTEE HOLDS CALL; Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on Health & Wellness will hold a conference call. The committee is chaired by Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez and co-chaired by former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Alan Levine. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. A conference call number will be provided at www.DeSantisTransition.com.)

SANTA ROSA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Santa Rosa County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, will meet. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County Commission chamber, 6495 Caroline St., Milton.)

MIAMI INTERSTATE PROJECT AT ISSUE: I-395 PROJECT: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an informational meeting on a project involving Interstate 395, State Road 836 and Interstate 95. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Miami Police Benevolent Association, 2300 N.W. 14th St., Miami.)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018

WALTON COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Walton County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet to prepare for the 2019 legislative session. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Walton County Commission, 76 North Sixth St., DeFuniak Springs.)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Occupational Therapy will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7811783909)

HOLMES COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Holmes County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet to prepare for the 2019 legislative session. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 107 East Virginia Ave., Bonifay.)

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

WASHINGTON COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Washington County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet to prepare for the 2019 legislative session. (Thursday, 11:45 a.m., 1331 South Blvd., Chipley.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, noon, West Flagler Library, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami.)

DESANTIS PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETS: Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee on Public Safety will meet. The committee is chaired by Kent Stermon, chief operating officer of Total Military Management. (Thursday, 1 p.m., location and conference call number will be provided at www.DeSantisTransition.com.)

GEOLOGICAL DESIGNATION HELD: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host a State Geological Site designation ceremony at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, 465 Wakulla Park Dr., Wakulla Springs.)

JACKSON COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Jackson County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet to prepare for the 2019 legislative session. (Thursday, 2:15 p.m., Jackson County School Board, 2903 Jefferson St., Marianna.)

BAY COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Bay County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, will meet. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Bay County Government Building, 840 West 11th St., Panama City.)

CALHOUN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Calhoun County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, will meet in preparation for the 2019 legislative session. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Calhoun County Commission board room, Blountstown.)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

TAX ISSUES ON TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss the Tax Collection Enforcement Diversion Program, monthly revenue estimates and a long-term revenue analysis. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release a November unemployment report. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Sarasota County. (Friday, 10 a.m., North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port. Also, 2 p.m., Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice.)