Advances:  Week of January 13, 2019

By NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- It’s an annual ritual in communities across Florida.

Local elected officials and members of all kinds of groups show up at legislative delegation meetings to make pitches about issues before lawmakers head to Tallahassee for the annual session.

The meetings have a familiar feel, as speakers often know the House members and senators, and some issues tend to repeat year after year. But before lawmakers hunker down in the Capitol for the 60-day session, it’s a chance for local folks to get some final face time.

Delegation meetings started last month in advance of the 2019 session, but the coming week will be full of meetings throughout the state. And for some lawmakers, that will mean needing to put a little extra gas in the tank.

Consider Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican whose largely rural district is made up of 11 counties. Bradley and Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, will start Monday morning in Live Oak for a Suwannee County delegation meeting, then head down U.S. 90 to Lake City for the Columbia County delegation meeting, before getting on U.S. 90 again for a late-afternoon Baker County delegation meeting in Macclenny. (Yes, North Florida travelers, Bradley and Brannan could take I-10, but why not the scenic route?)

Then, on Wednesday, Bradley will start with a morning meeting of the Lafayette County delegation in Mayo, before heading to Cross City for the Dixie County delegation meeting and finishing the day in Trenton at a Gilchrist County delegation meeting.

Granted, Bradley won’t have to deal with the type of traffic Broward and Palm Beach County lawmakers will face on their way to delegation meetings. But that’s still some serious miles.

And local leaders might have some added incentive this year to show up at Bradley’s meetings. After all, he is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019

SUWANNEE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Suwannee County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, will meet to prepare for the 2019 session, which begins March 5. (Monday, 9 a.m., Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave. S.E., Live Oak.)

PATRONIS SPEAKS AT CHAMBER EVENT: State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is expected to be among the speakers during the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2019 Economic Outlook & Jobs Summit. Other speakers are expected to include newly appointed Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson and Enterprise Florida President and CEO Jamal Sowell. (Monday, 10 a.m., GuideWell Innovation Center at Lake Nona Medical City, 6555 Sanger Road, Orlando.)

ELECTROLYSIS ISSUES ON TABLE: The state Electrolysis Council will hold a conference call. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 564341766)

POLK COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Polk County legislative delegation will meet. The delegation is made up of Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula; Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa; Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland; Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade; Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland; Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven; and Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City. (Monday, 1 p.m., Polk County Commission chamber, 330 West Church St., Bartow.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Columbia County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, is scheduled to meet. (Monday, 1 p.m., Florida Gateway College, Administration Building, 149 S.E. College Place, Lake City.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA FUNDING ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. board, which oversees money from a settlement with BP over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will discuss funding requests by the Gulf County school district and the Franklin County school district. (Monday, 1 p.m., Gulf Coast State College, Gulf/Franklin Campus, 3800 Garrison Ave., Port St. Joe.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Collier County. (Monday, 1 p.m., Immokalee Library, 417 North First St., Immokalee.)

USF TRUSTEES HUDDLE: The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will hold a workshop. (Monday, 2 p.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Tampa.)

BAKER COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Baker County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, is scheduled to meet. (Monday, 4 p.m., Macclenny City Hall, 118 East Macclenny Ave., Macclenny.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

INSURANCE ‘SUMMIT’ BEGINS: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will start a two-day insurance “summit,” with speakers including Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier and state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

MARTIN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Martin County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, and Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Indian River State College, Chastain Campus, Wolf Technology Center, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard, Lee and Pasco counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Also, 11 a.m., Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library, 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral. Also, 11:30 a.m., Saint Leo University, Student Community Center, 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo.)

LEE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Lee County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula; Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers; Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples; Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral; Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers; Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers; and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, Nursing Building, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers.)

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees will meet in Tarpon Springs. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs.)

ORTHOTISTS, PROSTHETISTS AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists will hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 744469610)

BROWARD DELEGATION MEETS: The Broward County legislative delegation will meet and focus on topics such as juvenile justice, criminal justice, transportation, economic development, the environment and growth management. The delegation is chaired by Rep. Rick Stark, D-Weston. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., City of Sunrise Civic Center Theater, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise.)

ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings. (Tuesday, committees start at 10 a.m., with full board at 11 a.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

LAKE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Lake County legislative delegation will meet. The delegation is made up of Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala; Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland; Rep. Brett Hage, R-Oxford; Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills; and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Lake-Sumter State College, Leesburg Campus, 9501 U.S. 441, Leesburg.)

LAWMAKERS SEEK ARTS FUNDING: Orlando Democratic House members Carlos Guillermo Smith and Anna Eskamani will push for increased funding for arts and culture during a town-hall event. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. Orlando Repertory Theatre, 1001 E Princeton St., Orlando.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd. Niceville.)

SANTA FE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Santa Fe College, Blount Center, 401 N.W. Sixth St., Gainesville.)

BREVARD DELEGATION MEETS: The Brevard County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The Brevard County delegation is made up of Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R- Rockledge; Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach; Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay; Rep. Thad Altman, R-Indialantic; Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando; and Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Cocoa. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Palm Bay City Council chamber, 120 Malabar Road S.E., Palm Bay.)

PARK RESTORATION EFFORTS DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting about Hurricane Michael recovery efforts at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Gulf Coast State College, Gulf/Franklin Campus, Building A, 3800 Garrison Ave., Port St. Joe.)

NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The North Florida Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Florida Community College, Board Room, 325 N.W. Turner Davis Dr., Madison.)

ST. JOHNS RIVER BRIDGE AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting about proposed improvements to State Road 44, from west of County Road 42 in Lake County to east of Ed Stone Park in Volusia County, including a new bridge over the St. Johns River. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Sanborn Activity and Event Center, 815 South Alabama Ave., DeLand.)

PASCO-HERNANDO COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Pasco-Hernando State College Board of Trustees will meet in Hernando County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pasco-Hernando State College, North Campus, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville.)

GULF RED SNAPPER AT ISSUE: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will continue a series of meetings about state management of Gulf red snapper. The council is seeking input on a draft plan that would allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to set the recreational red snapper fishing season and, potentially, other management measures in state and federal waters off Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Ave., Key West.)

CHIPOLA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Chipola College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Chipola College, Public Service Building, Marianna.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

BOARD OF ED MEETS IN PANHANDLE: The State Board of Education will meet in Northwest Florida, with new Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran taking part in his first meeting. Corcoran, a former Republican House speaker from Land O’ Lakes, was recently appointed to replace former Commissioner Pam Stewart. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. Central time, Pensacola State College, Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola.)

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Indian River County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge, and Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Indian River County Commission chamber, 1801 27th St., Building A, Vero Beach.)

INSURANCE ‘SUMMIT’ CONTINUES: The state Office of Insurance Regulation will conclude a two-day insurance “summit,” with speakers including Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier and topics such as challenges in the life-insurance market. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

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

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

LAFAYETTE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Lafayette County legislative delegation will hold a meeting to prepare for the 2019 session. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, represents Lafayette County in the Senate, while Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears has represented the county in the House but was recently named secretary of the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Lafayette County Courthouse, 120 West Main St., Mayo.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Glades, Sumter, Bay and Gulf counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Glades County Courthouse, 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven. Also, 10 a.m., Laurel Manor Recreation Center, 1985 Laurel Manor Dr., The Villages. Also, 11 a.m. Central time, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, 501 Grace Ave., Panama City. Also, 1 p.m., Gulf County Administration Building, 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe.)

MORRIS SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY: Political consultant and commentator Dick Morris will speak to the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

DIXIE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Dixie County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, will meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Dixie County Commission chamber, 214 N.E. Highway 351, Cross City.)

ST. JOHNS COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees will meet in Clay County. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., St. Johns River State College, Orange Park Campus, Thrasher-Horne Center, 283 College Dr., Orange Park.)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Florida Development Finance Corporation, 156 Tuskawilla Road, Suite 2340, Winter Springs. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292. Code: 1125978977)

GILCHRIST COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Gilchrist County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, will meet. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Gilchrist County Commission, 210 South Main St., Trenton.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

DEFENSE TASK FORCE MEETS: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect and expand Florida military installations and missions, will meet in Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Embassy Suites Miami International Airport, 3974 N.W. South River Dr., Miami.)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The St. Lucie County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City; Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park; Rep. Delores Hogan Johnson, D-Fort Pierce; and Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Indian River State College, Fort Pierce Campus, Knight Center for Emerging Technologies, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce.)

GULF COAST COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees will meet in Gulf County. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Gulf Coast State College, Gulf/Franklin Campus, 3800 Garrison St., Port St. Joe.)

REFUGEE SERVICES DISCUSSED: The Broward Refugee Task Force will meet to discuss refugee services. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Broward College, Central Campus, Building 3, 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie.)

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

FORMER SURGEON GENERAL SPEAKS AT FSU: David Satcher, who served as U.S. surgeon general under former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, will speak at Florida State University. Satcher, who will speak during Racism Awareness Week, will discuss the role of student activism in achieving racial justice and health equity. (Thursday, noon, FSU College of Medicine, 1115 West Call St., Tallahassee.)

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.)

PALM BEACH DELEGATION HOLDS WORKSHOPS: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will hold workshops with the Palm Beach County Commission, the Palm Beach County School Board and the Palm Beach County League of Cities. The delegation is chaired by Rep. Matt Willhite, D-Wellington. (Thursday, workshop with County Commission at 12:45 p.m., with School Board at 2:30 p.m., with League of Cities at 4 p.m., Florida Atlantic University, John D. MacArthur Campus, 5353 Parkside Dr., Jupiter.)

PUTNAM COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Putnam County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Putnam County Commission board room, 2509 Crill Ave., Palatka.)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

RESPIRATORY CARE AT ISSUE: The state Board of Respiratory Care will meet in Miami-Dade County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, 711 N.W. 72nd Ave., Miami.)

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Okeechobee County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, will meet to prepare for the 2019 session. (Friday, 9 a.m., Okeechobee County Government Center, 304 N.W. Second St., Okeechobee.)

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

REFUGEE SERVICES DISCUSSED: The Palm Beach Area Refugee Task Force will meet to discuss refugee services. (Friday, 10 a.m., West Palm Beach City Hall, 401 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Clay and St. Johns counties. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Fleming Island Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island. Also, 12:30 p.m., St. Johns County Main Library, 1960 North Ponce de Leon Blvd., St. Augustine.)

‘GROVELAND FOUR’ AT ISSUE: The Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida will host a discussion about the “Groveland Four” case of four African-American men accused in 1949 of raping a white woman in Lake County. Speakers are expected to include author Gilbert King, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his book about the case, “Devil in the Grove.” (Friday, noon, Dubsdread, 549 West Par St., Orlando.)

HIGHLANDS COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Highlands County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, will meet. (Friday, noon, Highlands County Government Center, 600 South Commerce Ave., Sebring.)