Advances:  Week of January 27, 2019

By NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- Corrine Brown was a prominent --- and controversial --- figure in Jacksonville for decades.

Loyal supporters turned out every two years to elect her, first to the Legislature and then to Congress. Many opponents loathed her. Or feared her.

But with a signature slogan of “Corrine Delivers,” Brown was always a political player.

That changed in 2016 as she lost a re-election bid while facing criminal charges and running in a redrawn congressional district. In 2017, she was convicted on 18 counts related to a charity scam and was later sent to federal prison.

Brown, however, continues to fight. During the coming week, a federal appeals court in Atlanta will hear arguments as she challenges the conviction. The arguments will center on whether a juror was improperly dismissed from her trial after saying the “Holy Ghost” told him Brown was not guilty.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019

MASSAGE THERAPY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Massage Therapy is scheduled to meet in Orange County. (Monday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.)

ORANGE COUNTY DELEGATION READIES FOR SESSION: The Orange County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2019 session. The delegation will hold a morning portion of the meeting for government officials and representatives of government agencies. It will reconvene in the afternoon to take testimony from citizens and community organizations. The delegation is made up of Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando; Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando; Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando; Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando; Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Ocoee; Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando; Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil, D-Maitland; Rep. Amy Mercado, D-Orlando; Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando; Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando; Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora; and Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando. (Monday, morning portion starts at 9:30 a.m., afternoon portion at 2:30 p.m., Orange County Administration Center, commission chamber, 201 South Rosalind Ave., Orlando.)

HURRICANE DAMAGE DISCUSSED: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, and Florida Forest Service Director Jim Karels will hold a media availability after meeting with forest service foresters and rangers and farmers who sustained damage in Hurricane Michael. The Oct. 10 storm in Northwest Florida is estimated to have damaged 2.8 million acres of forest land. (Monday, 10:40 a.m. Central time, Chipola College, Student Center Cafeteria, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard County. (Monday, 11 a.m., Sunflower House, 777 East Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island.)

PALM BEACH DELEGATION HOLDS HEARING: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing. The delegation is made up of Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; Sen. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach; Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach; Sen. Lori Berman, D-Lantana; Rep. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton; Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta; Rep. Rick Roth, R-Loxahatchee; Rep. Matt Willhite, D-Wellington; Rep. David Silvers, D-Lake Clarke Shores; Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana; Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach; Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach; and Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton. (Monday, 2 p.m., Lakeside Medical Center, 39200 Hooker Highway, Belle Glade.)

SEMINOLE STATE TRUSTEES MEET: The Seminole State College of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 2 p.m., Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford.)

TCC TRUSTEES MEET: The Tallahassee Community College Board of Districts will meet. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Tallahassee Community College, Hinson Administration Building, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee.)

POLK STATE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Polk State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 4 p.m., Polk State College, Lakeland Campus, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland.)

BOEHNER SPEAKS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner is scheduled to speak to the Caxambas Republican Club of Southwest Florida. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Marco Island Yacht Club, 1400 North Collier Blvd., Marco Island.)

LEWANDOWSKI, BOSSIE IN PALM BEACH: Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, who helped lead President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, will speak during an event hosted by the Palm Beach Republican Club. (Monday, 6:15 p.m., The Colony Hotel Pavilion, 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

DESANTIS, CABINET CONSIDER REVENUE DIRECTOR: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet will meet and are expected to vote on the appointment of Jim Zingale to serve as executive director of the state Department of Revenue. DeSantis has recommended Zingale, who ran the Department of Revenue under former Gov. Jeb Bush, to return to the post. Also during the meeting, DeSantis and the Cabinet members --- Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis --- are expected to consider a resolution that would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Patronis proposed the recognition, which would follow the lead of President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Alliance will hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 1869945)

MASSAGE THERAPY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Massage Therapy is scheduled to meet in Orange County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.)

FAU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, Administration Building, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call-in number: 1-888-207-9997. Code: FAU Owls.)

FEMA APPEALS AT ISSUE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an “appeals clinic” for people who might appeal denials of FEMA claims from Hurricane Michael. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gulf County Library, Port St. Joe branch, 110 Library Dr., Port St. Joe.)

TURNPIKE INTERCHANGE PROJECTS AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise will hold a meeting on proposed improvements to the interchange at the turnpike and the Beachline Expressway and on plans for a new interchange at Sand Lake Road in Orange County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management, 9907 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

GADSDEN COUNTY ROAD EXTENSION EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on a study evaluating the need to extend Quincy Loop South from Pat Thomas Parkway to U.S. 90 in Gadsden County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., University of Florida IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy.)

MANATEE-SARASOTA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Board of Trustees of the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

STATE LEADERS SPEAK AT AP EVENT: The Associated Press will hold an annual event for reporters and editors in advance of the legislative session. Speakers at the event are expected to include Gov. Ron DeSantis; Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton; House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes; Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville; House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee, D-Miami; state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis; Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried; and Attorney General Ashley Moody. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 22nd floor, the Capitol.)

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

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

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Bradford, Sumter, Alachua and Hillsborough counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Bradford County Senior Center, 1805 North Temple Ave., Starke. Also, 10 a.m., Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, The Villages. Also, 12:30 p.m., High Springs City Hall, 23718 West U.S. 27, High Springs. Also, 1 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa.)

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ISSUES DISCUSSED: Four committees of the state university system’s Board of Governors will meet in advance of a full board meeting Thursday. Among the topics will be a discussion at the Academic and Student Affairs Committee about hazing prevention throughout the system. (Wednesday, meetings start at 12:30 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center, 11200 S.W. Eighth St., Miami.)

FEMA APPEALS AT ISSUE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an “appeals clinic” for people who might appeal denials of FEMA claims from Hurricane Michael. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Gulf County Senior Citizens Center, 314 North Third St., Wewahitchka.)

STATE COLLEGE LEADERS GATHER: The Association of Florida Colleges Board of Directors will meet in Seminole County. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford.)

ROACH HOLDS OPEN HOUSE: State Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, will hold an open house at his new district office. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., 3436 Marinatown Lane, Suite 6, North Fort Myers.)

CHILD CARE AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Children and Families will hold a meeting about child-care standards and a meeting about family day-care standards and rules for large family child-care homes. (Wednesday, child-care standards meeting at 3 p.m., followed by second meeting at 6 p.m., Big Bend Community Based Care, 1000 West Tharpe St., Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETS: The state university system’s Board of Governors will meet after holding a series of committee meetings. Among numerous issues will be legislative budget requests and performance-based funding. (Thursday, committees start at 8 a.m., with full board estimated to start at 4 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center, 11200 S.W. Eighth St., Miami.)

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP ON AGENDA: The Association of Florida Colleges will hold a leadership conference. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford.)

REDUCING OR ELIMINATING REGULATIONS EYED: Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears will take part in “Florida Deregathon,” an event aimed at reducing or eliminating regulations. Numerous state regulatory boards have been invited to take part, such as the Florida Board of Accountancy, the Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers, the Board of Architecture and Interior Design, the Board of Auctioneers, the Florida Barbers’ Board, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the Board of Cosmetology, the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board, the Board of Employee Leasing Companies, the Board of Landscape Architecture, the Board of Pilot Commissioners, the Board of Professional Geologists, the Board of Veterinary Medicine, the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board, the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board and the Florida Real Estate Commission. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Valencia College, East Campus, gymnasium, 701 North Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando.)

FEMA APPEALS AT ISSUE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an “appeals clinic” for people who might appeal denials of FEMA claims from Hurricane Michael. (Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Marianna City Hall, 2898 Green St., Marianna.)

VISIT FLORIDA PANELS MEET: Visit Florida councils and committees will meet in advance of a full Visit Florida board meeting Friday. (Thursday, meetings start at 10 a.m., One Ocean Resort and Spa, 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach.)

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

GULF CONSORTIUM BOARD MEETS: The Gulf Consortium Board of Directors, which works on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Tallahassee Community College, Center for Innovation, 350 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Clay County. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Clay County Library, Orange Park Branch, 2054 Plainfield Ave., Orange Park.)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019

HOUSING ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

BROWN APPEAL HEARD: The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in a challenge filed by former Congresswoman Corrine Brown after she was convicted in a charity scam. Brown, a former 12-term Democratic congresswoman from Jacksonville, was convicted on fraud and tax charges related to her role in using contributions to the One Door for Education charity for personal expenses and events. In the appeal, Brown contends that a juror was improperly dismissed from her trial. The dismissal came after the juror made statements such as the “Holy Ghost” told him Brown was not guilty. Prosecutors, however, argue a district judge acted properly in replacing the juror with an alternate and disputed that the decision violated religious rights. (Friday, 9 a.m., Elbert P. Tuttle United States Court of Appeals Building, 56 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta.)

VISIT FLORIDA BOARD MEETS IN DUVAL: The Visit Florida Board of Directors will meet in Duval County. It will be the first meeting for the tourism-marketing agency’s new president and CEO, Dana Young. (Friday, 9 a.m., One Ocean Resort and Spa, 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach.)

REVENUE ESTIMATING PANEL HUDDLES: The state Revenue Estimating Conference will hold what is known as an “impact” conference, which typically involves analyzing the potential costs of legislation. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SPEECH-LANGUAGE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 9 a.m., Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando.)

FEMA APPEALS AT ISSUE: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an “appeals clinic” for people who might appeal denials of FEMA claims from Hurricane Michael. (Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., TCC Gadsden Center, 223 Pat Thomas Parkway, Quincy.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Orange County. (Friday, 2 p.m., United Against Poverty, 150 West Michigan St., Orlando.)