Advances:  Week of July 15, 2018

 

By News Service Florida

 

TALLAHASSEE --- As he runs for governor, Republican Ron DeSantis is trying to tether himself to President Donald Trump.

It’s a key strategy for DeSantis, a congressman who is more likely to be seen on Fox News than he is in Tallahassee. And it’s an issue that DeSantis’ Republican primary opponent, state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, must grapple with as GOP voters rally around Trump.

Putnam has more experience than DeSantis in dealing with issues that will confront the next governor and has spent years traveling the highways and byways of Florida making connections. And, really, the candidates’ positions on many subjects are not that far apart.

But in the age of Trump, Fox News and social media, how much will all of that matter? Floridians will find out Aug. 28 when the primary votes are counted.

DeSantis, who has been endorsed by Trump, will try to drive home his ties to the president Wednesday. Donald Trump Jr. will appear at a DeSantis campaign event in Orlando that also will include Fox News host Jeanine Pirro and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, another Trump favorite.

Later Wednesday, the five Democratic candidates for governor --- who most surely don’t want to tether themselves to Trump --- will debate in Fort Myers. It will be the next-to-last Democratic debate before the primary.

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2018

DESANTIS CAMPAIGNS IN PALM BEACH: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will campaign at a brunch event in Palm Beach County. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Grandes Bella Cucina, 4580 Donald Ross Road, Palm Beach Gardens.)

KING SEEKS VOTES IN JACKSONVILLE: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King is expected to campaign during an event in Duval County. (Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Southeast Regional Library, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville.)

GRAYSON CAMPAIGNS IN POLK COUNTY: Former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, a Democrat running in Congressional District 9, is slated to speak to the Lake Ashton Democratic Club. (Sunday, 3 p.m., main clubhouse, 4141 Ashton Club Dr., Lake Ashton.)

HASTINGS RAISES MONEY IN BROWARD: U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., will raise money during an event that will include U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Sunday, 4:30 p.m., Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill.)

MONDAY, JULY 16, 2018

JUDGE WEIGHS EARLY VOTING CASE: U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will hold a hearing in a lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters of Florida and other plaintiffs who argue early voting sites should be allowed on state university and college campuses. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in May against Secretary of State Ken Detzner. Walker will hear arguments about a proposed preliminary injunction. (Monday, 9 a.m., United States Courthouse, 111 North Adams St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Wakulla, Polk and Leon counties. (Monday, 9 a.m., St. Marks City Hall, 788 Port Leon Dr., St. Marks. Also, 1 p.m., Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 North Florida Ave., Lakeland. Also, 1 p.m., Veterans Affairs Tallahassee Health Care Center, 2181 Orange Ave., Tallahassee.)

OPTOMETRY BOARD DISCUSSES SETTLEMENT: The Florida Board of Optometry will hold a conference call to discuss a settlement agreement. (Monday, noon. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7342425515)        

TOURISM PANEL HOLDS CALL: Visit Florida’s Bylaws Task Force will hold a conference call. (Monday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-354-0094. Participant code: 699912.)

UNF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of North Florida Board of Trustees will take up issues such as a resolution outlining the authority of new university President David Szymanski. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., University of North Florida, J.J. Daniel Hall, Jacksonville.)

KING SPEAKS TO DUVAL DEMOCRATS: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King is expected to speak during a meeting of the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee. (Monday, 6 p.m., IBEW union hall, 966 North Liberty St., Jacksonville.)

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018

DOT DISCUSSES PASCO PROJECT: The Florida Department of Transportation will present information about a project to realign State Road 52 in Pasco County. The project involves a new four-lane urban divided roadway, which would serve as an additional east-west route. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Parish Center, 32852 Rhode Island Ave., San Antonio.)

BOND RATES ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss bond rates in the Public Education Capital Outlay program. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

COURT HEARS SLOT MACHINE DISPUTE: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a dispute about whether certain electronic games played in bars and other establishments are illegal slot machines. Gator Coin II, Inc. and Blue Sky Games went to the appeals court last year after a Leon County circuit judge ruled that the disputed games, known as “pre-reveal” games, are effectively slot machines. The businesses sued the state after investigators with the Division of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms alleged the machines were illegal. Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper originally sided with the businesses, finding that the machines didn't violate prohibitions against slots because the games include a "preview" feature advising players of the outcome "before the player commits any money to the game by activating the 'play' button." But Cooper later reversed himself, agreeing with testimony that people pay to play losing games with the hopes of winning in subsequent games. State lawmakers have debated the games but have not clarified the legal questions. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

SCOTT DISCLOSURE FIGHT GOES TO APPEALS COURT: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a dispute about whether Gov. Rick Scott has properly complied with the state’s financial-disclosure requirements. Tallahassee attorney Donald Hinkle filed a lawsuit last year alleging that Scott has not complied with the state’s “Sunshine Amendment,” which requires elected officials to disclose details of their personal finances. The allegations focus, at least in part, on Scott’s use of a blind trust. Scott’s attorneys sought to dismiss the case, arguing that such financial-disclosure issues should be heard by the Florida Commission on Ethics. But Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers in February refused to dismiss the lawsuit, prompting Scott’s attorneys to go to the appeals court to try to block Gievers from moving forward with the case. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATION SOUGHT: The Florida Department of Children and Families will help host meetings in Central Florida that are part of an effort to better coordinate behavioral-health services. The meeting is an outgrowth of an executive order signed by Gov. Rick Scott that called for better collaboration with law-enforcement agencies. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Titusville Library, 2121 South Hopkins Ave., Titusville. Also, 1 p.m., Valencia College, School of Public Safety, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando.)

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to unclaimed property. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola and Pinellas counties. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee. Also, 1 p.m., Clearwater Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater.)

PSC CHOICES NARROWED: The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council will interview a short list of candidates for two seats on the Public Service Commission. After the interviews, the council is expected to send the names of nominees to Gov. Rick Scott. Among those who will be interviewed are Public Service Commission members Julie Brown and Gary Clark, who are seeking reappointment to four-year terms. The current terms of Brown and Clark expire in January. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Orlando International Airport, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

SANTA FE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Santa Fe Watson Center, 4150 State Road 21, Keystone Heights.)

A1A RESURFACING AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation District 2 will present information about a project to resurface a portion of Florida A1A in Nassau County, with the project also expected to involve repairing curbs, medians and sidewalks. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd., Suite 101G, Fernandina Beach.)

PASCO-HERNANDO TRUSTEES MEET: The Pasco-Hernando State College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pasco-Hernando State College, West Campus, Conference Center, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey.)

CANCIO, SALAZAR AT GOP WOMEN’S CLUB: Marili Cancio, a candidate in state Senate District 40, and Maria Elvira Salazar, a candidate in Congressional District 27, are slated to speak to the Old Cutler Republican Women’s Club. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Brio Tuscan Grille, 8888 S.W. 136th St., Miami.)

STATE SENATE CANDIDATE SPEAKS IN POLK: Democrat Joy Gibson, who is running in state Senate District 20, is slated to speak at a meeting of the Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County. Gibson is hoping to unseat Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, in the district, which includes parts of Hillsborough, Polk and Pasco counties. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., The Rib House, 2918 South Florida Ave., Lakeland.)

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

GREENE, SLOSBERG AT LGBTA CAUCUS: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene and state Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, are expected to speak at the Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus. (Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., Compass Community Center, 201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.)

FERNANDEZ DISCUSSES GUN SAFETY: State Rep. Javier Fernandez, D-South Miami, will hold a town-hall meeting on gun safety. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Riviera Presbyterian Church, 5275 Sunset Dr., Miami.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2018

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet in Central Florida and discuss issues such as the new “hope scholarship” program, charter-school cases from Palm Beach County and turnaround option plans for schools in Polk, Hillsborough, DeSoto, Pinellas, Marion, Brevard, Duval, Putnam and Escambia counties. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate.)

UNEMPLOYMENT APPEALS CONSIDERED: The 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 Miami-Dade, Duval, Hardee, Hillsborough and Brevard counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Colonel Harry Zubkoff Center, 55 N.W. 199th St., North Miami Beach. Also, 10:30 a.m., Duval County Library, Argyle Branch, 7973 Old Middleburg Road South, Jacksonville. Also, 1 p.m., Lambert Realty, 105 Summit St., Wauchula. Also, 1 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa. Also, 2 p.m., Titusville Library, 2121 South Hopkins Ave., Titusville.)

FOLK COUNCIL MEETS: The Florida Folk Council will meet. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.)

TRIUMPH GULF COAST WEIGHS PROJECTS: The Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors, which helps administer settlement money from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, will discuss a series of proposals in Northwest Florida counties. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Central time, Walton County Commission chamber, 571 U.S. 90 East, DeFuniak Springs.)

SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The South Florida State College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., South Florida State College, Highlands Campus, 600 West College Dr., Avon Park.)

COURT FUNDING AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss what are known as Article V revenues, which help fund the court system. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATION SOUGHT: The Florida Department of Children and Families will help host a meeting in Sumter County that is part of an effort to better coordinate behavioral-health services. The meeting is an outgrowth of an executive order signed by Gov. Rick Scott that called for better collaboration with law-enforcement agencies. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., KCI conference room, 901 Industrial Dr., #200, Wildwood.)

TRUMP SON CAMPAIGNS WITH DESANTIS: Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to appear at a campaign event with Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis. Also expected to appear are U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., B.B. King’s Blues Club, 9101 International Dr., Orlando.)

GOP GUBERNATORIAL FORUM HELD: The Villages Republican Club, Villagers for Trump, the Sumter County Republican Executive Committee and the Republican Federated Women of The Villages will hold a forum for GOP gubernatorial candidates. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., The Savannah Regional Recreation Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages.)

PILON CAMPAIGNS FOR HOUSE SEAT: Former Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, will hold a campaign event in his bid to return to the Legislature in Sarasota County’s House District 72. Pilon is trying to unseat Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Extra Innings Sarasota, 717 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.)

DEEPWATER HORIZON RESTORATION DISCUSSED: The Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council will hold a workshop about damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and discuss restoration efforts. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Marriott Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront, 1600 East Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss.)

PALMETTO EXPRESSWAY PROJECTS EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation District 6 will discuss a series of projects related to the Palmetto Expressway in Miami-Dade County. The work includes installing two tolled express lanes in each direction, widening the expressway, installing noise walls and replacing overpass bridges. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. Miami Lakes Council chamber, 6601 Main St., Miami Lakes.)

SHARK FISHING AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a meeting in Manatee County to take input about shore-based shark fishing. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Library and Learning Center, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton.)

‘WOMEN ON THE RUN’ PROGRAM SLATED: The Women’s Foundation of Florida will hold a “Women on the Run” event in Palm Beach County to help mentor and train women to run for office. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.)

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DEBATE: The five major Democratic gubernatorial candidates --- Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Palm Beach real-estate investor Jeff Greene, Orlando-area entrepreneur Chris King and former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine --- will debate in Lee County. The event will be the next-to-last debate before the Aug. 28 Democratic primary. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers. The debate will be aired in Southwest Florida on WINK TV and will be streamed online at winknews.com.)

THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018

INTEREST RATES AT ISSUE: The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss interest rates used in appropriations. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DEFENSE ISSUES GET FOCUS: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works on preserving and expanding military installations, will meet in Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Hampton Inn and Suites Miami South-Homestead, 2855 N.E. Ninth St., Homestead.)

STATE ECONOMY DISCUSSED: The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss Florida economic issues. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in St. Johns, Sumter, Miami-Dade, Sarasota and Volusia counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., St. Johns County Library, Anastasia Branch, 124 Sea Grove Main St., St. Augustine Beach. Also, 10 a.m., The Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Also, noon, West Flagler Library, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami. Also, 1 p.m., Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Head Start/Early Head Start, Martin Luther King Office Building, 2525 N.W. 62nd St., Miami. Also, 2:15 p.m., North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota. Also, 2:30 p.m., Ormond Beach Library, 30 South Beach St., Ormond Beach.)

APALACHEE PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The Apalachee Regional Planning Council will meet in Gadsden County. (Thursday, 10 a.m., UF IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy.)

UCF TRUSTEES: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings. Among other things, the board will discuss a five-year capital improvement plan. (Thursday, committee meetings start at 9:45 a.m., with full board at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, Orlando.)

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION MEETS: The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate members, will meet and take up a series of issues. The issues include a proposal to shift $3.1 million to help fill a gap in funding for homeless-prevention services. Also, the issues include a proposal to set aside nearly $13.3 million to help fund operations of the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DANGEROUS ROADS DISCUSSED: The Florida Transportation Commission will hold a conference call, with the agenda including a discussion of the state’s most dangerous roads and highways. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 850-414-4978. Code: 181217)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DEBATE IN MIAMI-DADE: Democratic candidates in Congressional District 27 are slated to debate in Miami-Dade County as they try to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. Democrats seeking the seat are Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Matt Haggman, Michael Hepburn, David Richardson and Donna Shalala. (Thursday, 6 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Road, Miami.)

SHARK FISHING AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a meeting in Lee County to take input about shore-based shark fishing. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Joseph P. D’Alessandro Office Complex, Room 165 C & D, 2295 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers.)

FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

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

BAXLEY AT LAKE COUNTY GOP: Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, is expected to take part in a “coffee with the candidate” event in Lake County. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.)

CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE SLATED IN PENSACOLA: The Panhandle Tiger Bay Club is slated to hold a Congressional District 1 debate. Candidates in the race are Republican incumbent Matt Gaetz, Republicans Cris Dosev and John Mills and Democrats Phil Ehr and Jennifer Zimmerman. (Friday, noon, Skopelos at New World, 600 South Palafox St., Pensacola.)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATION SOUGHT: The Florida Department of Children and Families will help host a meeting in Polk County that is part of an effort to better coordinate behavioral-health services. The meeting is an outgrowth of an executive order signed by Gov. Rick Scott that called for better collaboration with law-enforcement agencies. (Friday, 1 p.m., Peace River Center, 1239 East Main St., Bartow.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Candidates for statewide offices and political committees face a Friday deadline to file reports showing finance activity through July 13.