Advances:  Week of July 29, 2018

 

By News Service Florida

 

TALLAHASSEE --- For Democrats, this year’s gubernatorial election poses a fundamental question: Can Democrats choose a candidate and execute a campaign that will end two decades of almost-total Republican control of state government?

For Republicans, a key question in the election is very different: How much of a hold does President Donald Trump have over the GOP?

Both questions will be on display during the coming week as the five Democratic candidates for governor gather for their final debate before the Aug. 28 primary and as Trump holds a political rally in Tampa.

Earlier Democratic debates don’t appear to have moved the needle much. For the most part, candidates Andrew Gillum, Gwen Graham, Jeff Greene, Chris King and Philip Levine agree on issues. But Graham got some good news this week, when polls by Florida Atlantic University and Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy showed her leading the field.

Those same polls showed Republican Ron DeSantis building a sizable lead over his primary opponent, state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Perhaps the biggest reason is that Trump has backed DeSantis, a three-term congressman from Northeast Florida.

Before DeSantis entered the race, Putnam was a clear front-runner to succeed outgoing Gov. Rick Scott. Putnam had won two statewide races, amassed millions of dollars in campaign cash and built a grass-roots network.

But DeSantis, who is largely an unknown in Tallahassee, and Trump have changed the dynamics of the race. And things could get more unsettling for Putnam when Trump takes the stage Tuesday night at the rally in Tampa.

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018

LAWMAKER’S WIFE REMEMBERED: Susie Rushing Plakon, who died Monday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, will be remembered during a service in Orlando. She was the wife of state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood. (Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Church in the Son, 4484 North John Young Parkway, Orlando.)

GILLUM TAKES PART IN TOWN HALL AFTER SHOOTING DEATH: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum will attend a town-hall meeting about the shooting death of Markeis McGlockton. The death has led to a renewed debate about Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defense law. (Sunday, 4 p.m., Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 1012 Pennsylvania Ave., Clearwater.)

DEMOCRATIC CHAIR AT DUVAL EVENT: Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo is expected to take part in a Duval County Democrats “BBQ, Beers & Blueval” event. (Sunday, 4 p.m., Firefighters Hall, 2516 Phyllis St., Jacksonville.)

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR PRIMARY: Floridians face a Monday deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 28 primary elections, which will include high-profile races for governor, Cabinet seats and, in many areas, congressional and legislative seats. Voters who want to change party affiliations before the primaries also must do so before the Monday deadline. As of June 30, Florida had more than 12.9 million registered voters, with registered Democrats slightly outnumbering registered Republicans, according to the state Division of Elections website. Miami-Dade County had the largest number of registered voters at 1.39 million, while Broward County was next at more than 1.14 million. Lafayette County had the fewest registered voters at 4,297, while Liberty County had 4,341.

NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD HUDDLES: The North Florida Community College Board of Trustees will hold a retreat in Hamilton County. (Monday, 9 a.m., Hamilton County School Complex, 5683 U.S. 129 South, Jasper.)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Occupational Therapy will meet. (Monday, 9 a.m., Capital Circle Office Center, 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Room 301, Tallahassee.)

LEVINE HELPS UNVEIL MURAL: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine will help unveil a mural featuring Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The mural is designed to spur action against gun violence. (Monday, 11 a.m., Levine campaign headquarters, 2215 N.W. 1st Place, Miami.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Clay and Putnam counties. (Monday, 11 a.m., Green Cove Springs Council on Aging, 604 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs. Also, 2 p.m., Putnam County Commission conference room, 2509 Crill Ave., Palatka.)

VISIT FLORIDA PANEL HOLDS CALL: The Visit Florida Bylaws Taskforce will hold a conference call. (Monday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-354-0094. Code: 699912.)

WHITE CAMPAIGNS IN MIAMI-DADE: State Rep. Frank White, a Pensacola Republican running for attorney general, is slated to speak to the Women’s Republican Club of Miami, Federated. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.)

TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2018

PROPERTY TAXES TALLIED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze ad valorem, or property, taxes. (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 Lee, Franklin and Lake counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library, 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral. Also, 3 p.m., Franklin County clerk of court, 33 Market St., Apalachicola. Also, 4 p.m., American Legion Post 347, 699 West Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake.)

GROUPS TARGET CENTERS IN ABORTION DEBATE: Members of groups including Progress Florida will deliver petitions to Gov. Rick Scott’s office and the Florida Department of Health calling for regulation of controversial centers that counsel woman against having abortions. The facilities, commonly known as crisis pregnancy centers, receive state money. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., the governor’s office, the Capitol. Also, 11 a.m., Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

BRIDGE RECORDS AT ISSUE: Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll will hold a hearing in a public-records lawsuit filed by the Miami Herald after the deadly collapse in March of a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University. The Herald filed the lawsuit in May against the Florida Department of Transportation, saying the agency refused to provide requested documents from Feb. 20 and later. Using the state’s broad public-records law, the newspaper requested a wide range of documents related to the March 15 bridge collapse that killed six people. The Department of Transportation has argued that it cannot release the documents from Feb. 20 and later because of an ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

POLSTON SPEAKS TO ECONOMIC CLUB: Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston is slated to speak to the Economic Club of Florida. (Tuesday, noon, FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

PRATT CAMPAIGNS FOR HOUSE SEAT: Democrat Tracy Pratt, who is running in House District 71, will campaign during a potluck event in Bradenton. Pratt is seeking to replace term-limited Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, in the district in Manatee and Sarasota counties. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Bayshore Gardens Park and Recreation District, 6919 26th St. West, Bradenton.)

WATER SUPPLY AT ISSUE: The Northwest Florida Water Management District will hold a water-supply assessment workshop. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. Central time, Bay County Government Center, 840 West 11th St., Panama City.)

LAKE OKEECHOBEE WATERSHED AT ISSUE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will hold one in a series of public meetings related to a Lake Okeechobee watershed restoration project. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. Lee County Mosquito and Hyacinth Control Districts, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres.)

DRIVING THE PALMETTO: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting related to the Palmetto express lanes in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. Carlos Arboleya Community Center at Robert King Park, 7025 West Flagler St., Miami.)

CONGRESSIONAL FORUM PLANNED: Candidates in congressional districts 7, 9 and 10 are expected to take part in a forum in Orange County. The districts are currently represented by Democrats Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto and Val Demings. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Orlando Science Center, 777 East Princeton St., Orlando.)

TRUMP RALLIES VOTERS IN TAMPA: President Donald Trump will appear at a rally in Hillsborough County and is expected to tout his support for gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis. Trump also is expected to use the rally to back Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for U.S. Senate, and U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz, who is running for re-election in a Northwest Florida district. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa.)

NEXTGEN HOLDS YOUNG VOTERS EVENT: NextGen America will hold an event in which young voters will be able to ask questions of candidates in South Florida’s Congressional District 27. The congressional seat is open because of U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s decision to retire. Candidates expected to take part in the event are Democrats Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, David Richardson, Matt Haggman and Michael Hepburn. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., ELV Miami, 1723 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018

SCHOOL BUILDING MONEY AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, money, which is used for school building projects. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capital.)

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT CONSIDERED: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze Florida College System enrollment. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

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

FINANCIAL AID ON TABLE: The Education Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to student financial aid. (Wednesday, 10:45 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 Pinellas and Brevard counties. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., VFW Post 4364, 5773 62nd St. North, St. Petersburg. Also, 2 p.m., Titusville Library, 2121 South Hopkins Ave., Titusville.)

LOTTERY LOOKED AT: The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up issues related to the Florida Lottery. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETISTS AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 5134896685)

ASENCIO APPEARS AT MEET AND GREET: State Rep. Robert Asencio, a Miami Democrat running for re-election in House District 118, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event hosted by SAVE Action PAC. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., CIC Miami, 1951 N.W. Seventh Ave., sixth floor, Miami.)

LAKE OKEECHOBEE WATERSHED AT ISSUE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will hold one in a series of public meetings related to a Lake Okeechobee watershed restoration project. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Indian River State College, Wolf High-Technology Center, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart.)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DEBATE: Republican candidates in Congressional District 6 will take part in a debate sponsored by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Republicans Fred Costello, John Ward and Michael Waltz are running for the seat, which is open because U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is running for governor. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., the News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 North Beach St., Daytona Beach.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

SURVEYORS AND MAPPERS AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers will hold committee meetings, followed by a full board meeting. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 North Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach.)

EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH INSURANCE DISCUSSED: The Self-Insurance Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to the state employees’ health-insurance program. (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 Sumter, Sarasota and Volusia counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., The Villages-Laurel Recreation Center, 1985 Laurel Manor Dr., The Villages. Also, 1 p.m., Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Also, 2:30 p.m., Ormond Beach Library, 30 South Beach St., Ormond Beach.)

TRUMP JUDICIAL NOMINEES AT ISSUE: The group Integrity Florida will hold a news conference to release a report about federal judicial nominees during the Trump administration. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College St., Tallahassee.)

SOTO, GRAYSON AT TIGER BAY: U.S. Rep. Darren Soto and former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, who are competing in the Democratic primary in Congressional District 9, will appear at the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. (Thursday, noon, Varsity Club, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando.)

SUNRAIL ISSUES ON TABLE: The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission’s Customer Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 5 p.m. LYNX Central Station, 455 North Garland Ave., Orlando.)

LAKELAND AREA TRANSPORTATION EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation, along with the city of Lakeland, Polk County and Citrus Transit, will hold a workshop on the Lakeland Area Alternatives Analysis study, which is aimed at transportation improvements in northwest Lakeland. (Thursday, 5 p.m. Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., Lakeland.)

TRUMP JR. CAMPAIGNS FOR GAETZ: Donald Trump Jr. is slated to appear at a campaign event for Northwest Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz. Also expected to take part is gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis. (Thursday, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Central time, Northwest Florida State College Arena, 100 East College Blvd., Niceville.)

GOP HOPEFULS CONVERGE ON HIALEAH: Republican candidates for governor, agriculture commissioner, attorney general, legislative seats and congressional seats are expected to take part in an event hosted by the Federated Republican Women of North Dade. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment, 4800 Palm Ave., Hialeah.)

LAKE OKEECHOBEE WATERSHED AT ISSUE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will hold one in a series of public meetings related to a Lake Okeechobee watershed restoration project. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Indian River State College, Williamson Conference and Education Center, 2229 N.W. Ninth Ave., Okeechobee.)

CANDIDATE FORUM HELD: Congressional District 19 candidates are expected to appear at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lee County. The seat is held by U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., and Democrats David Holden and Todd Truax are looking to unseat him. (Thursday, 6 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers.)

PHYSICAL THERAPY ISSUES ON TABLE: The Florida Board of Physical Therapy will meet in Jacksonville. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 River Place Blvd., Jacksonville.)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DEBATE: Democratic candidates in Congressional District 6 will take part in a debate sponsored by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Democrats Nancy Soderberg, John Upchurch and Stephen Sevigny are running for the seat, which is open because U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is running for governor. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., the News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 North Beach St., Daytona Beach.)

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DEBATE: The five major Democratic candidates for governor will hold their final debate before the Aug. 28 primary election. Expected to take part in the debate, presented by the Florida Press Association and WPBF 25 News, are Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, businessman Jeff Greene, businessman Chris King and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. (Tuesday, 7 p.m. Debate will originate at WPBF 25 in West Palm Beach and be broadcast throughout the state.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

TAX “HOLIDAY” BEGINS: A three-day tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers will begin Friday. During the holiday, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $60 or less and school supplies that cost $15 or less. Lawmakers approved the tax holiday during this year’s legislative session.

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet in Broward County. (Friday, 8 a.m., GalleryOne Fort Lauderdale, 2670 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

PHYSICAL THERAPY ISSUES ON TABLE: The Florida Board of Physical Therapy will meet in Jacksonville. (Friday, 8 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 River Place Blvd., Jacksonville.)

SURVEYORS AND MAPPERS AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers will meet in Brevard County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 North Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach.)

TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS ON TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss transportation revenues. (Friday, 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 Palm Beach and Duval counties. (Friday, 9 a.m., Century Village Clubhouse, 411 Century Blvd., West Palm Beach. Also, 10 a.m., city of Jacksonville veterans job fair, Jacksonville Fairgrounds, 510 Fairground Place, Jacksonville.)

CALDWELL CAMPAIGNS IN LAKE COUNTY: State Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican running for agriculture commissioner, is slated 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.)

SOTO SPEAKS AT POLK TIGER BAY: U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., is slated to appear at a meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Bartow Civic Center, 2250 South Floral Ave., Bartow.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through July 27.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2018

TAX “HOLIDAY” CONTINUES: A three-day tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers will continue Saturday. During the holiday, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $60 or less and school supplies that cost $15 or less.