Advances:  Week of July 8, 2018

By News Service Florida 

TALLAHASSEE --- Nearly five months after a gunman murdered 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, the search for answers continues.

The big-picture question, of course, is how could this have happened?

But within that are all sorts of other questions involving issues such as mental health, guns, school security and police response.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, created in the aftermath of the Feb. 14, shooting, will continue exploring the issues during the coming week in Broward County. The commission, led by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, will meet for three days and examine issues ranging from law-enforcement radio systems to the state’s Baker Act commitment law for people with mental illnesses.

On Thursday, the commission will hold closed-door sessions to discuss issues related to mental-health treatment provided before the shooting to Nikolas Cruz, the former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student charged in the murders.

The commission, which began meeting in April, is expected to continue probing such issues during a series of meetings in August, September, October and November.

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

FLORIDA KEYS COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Keys Community College Board of Trustees will hold a workshop and an organizational meeting. (Monday, workshop at 1 p.m., meeting at 2 p.m., Angler and Ale Restaurant, Hawks Cay, 540 Duck Key Dr., Duck Key.)

STATE POPULATION ANALYZED: The Demographic Estimating Conference will discuss Florida population numbers. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WHITE, CALDWELL CAMPAIGN IN PALM BEACH: Rep. Frank White, a Pensacola Republican running for attorney general, and Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican running for agriculture commissioner, are expected to appear at a meeting of the Palm Beach County Trump Club. (Monday, 7 p.m., Palm Beach Kennel Club, 1111 North Congress Ave., West Palm Beach.)

TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2018

DOUGLAS SAFETY COMMISSION MEETS: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was created after the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, will begin a three-day meeting. Among the topics will be school fire codes and behavioral threat assessments. Also, the commission has set aside time to take public comments. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.)

SUWANNEE WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

ETHICS PANEL DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE ISSUES: The Legislative Committee of the Florida Commission on Ethics is expected to discuss the commission’s legislative recommendations. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee.)

A1A IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSED: Sidewalk, signage, signal and drainage improvements along a portion of Florida A1A in Indian River County will be the topic of an open house hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Indian River Shores Council Chamber, 6001 North State Road A1A, Indian River Shores.)

PSC COULD DIAL UP NEW AREA CODE: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues, including a proposal for a new area code --- 689 --- in parts of Central Florida. The commission is considering the issue because of a projection that the region will run out of available numbers in the 407 area code, which serves Orange, Osceola, Seminole and parts of Lake and Volusia counties. Also, the commission will consider a proposed settlement agreement stemming from Florida Power & Light’s costs in restoring power after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. FPL and the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, reached the proposed settlement, which would result in a $27.7 million refund to customers. The refund is tied to money that FPL collected from customers after Matthew caused damage along the East Coast in October 2016. Utilities are typically allowed to recoup costs of restoring power and rebuilding systems after hurricanes and to replenish storm reserves. But they also have to return to the Public Service Commission to justify the amounts recovered from customers. FPL collected $322.45 million through the charge, with about $6 million listed in the settlement agreement as “over-recovery” of costs. The remainder of the refund, $21.7 million, is due to an accounting adjustment on the restoration costs. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CONSIDERED: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold an internal-affairs meeting to discuss a draft report about hurricane preparedness and restoration efforts of electric utilities. Also, the commission will review an annual report about competition and trends in the telecommunications industry. (Tuesday, immediately following the 9:30 a.m. commission meeting, Gerald L. Gunter Building, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD CONSIDERS BUDGET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings and will consider issues such as a tentative 2018-2019 budget and a tentative millage rate. (Tuesday, committee start at 10 a.m., with full board at 11 a.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St. Palatka.)

MEDICAID ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Medical Care Advisory Committee, which works on issues in the Medicaid program, will meet after holding subcommittee meetings. (Tuesday, subcommittees at 1 p.m., full committee at 2 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

TANF PROGRAM ON TABLE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will discuss caseloads and expenditures in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE EYED IN ISLAMORADA: The Florida Department of Transportation District 6 will hold a meeting about development of a permanent pedestrian bridge over U.S. 1 at Islamorada Founders Park in Monroe County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.)

WEST BUSCH UPGRADES CONSIDERED: The Florida District of Transportation District 7 will hold a meeting about ways to improve a portion of West Busch Boulevard in Hillsborough County to help pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Tampa First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 822 West Linebaugh Ave., Tampa.)

BLUE ANGEL PARKWAY AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation District 3 will hold a public hearing in Escambia County about proposed improvements to a portion of South Blue Angel Parkway, such as widening from two to four lanes and adding bike lanes and sidewalks. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. Liberty Church Blue Angel Campus, 2221 South Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018

EDUCATORS LEARN ABOUT SPACE: The Astronauts Memorial Foundation will host the first of what its anticipated to be an annual Space Port Area Conference for Educators (SPACE). The three-day event begins Wednesday. (Wednesday through Friday, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Center for Space Education. www.kennedyconference.org.)

DOUGLAS SAFETY COMMISSION MEETS: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was created after the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, will continue a three-day meeting. Among the topics will be Broward County’s 911 system and law-enforcement radio systems. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.)

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

EARLY STEPS PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Florida Local Early Steps Directors will meet in Duval County. The Early Steps program provides early-intervention services for families who have infants or toddlers with developmental disabilities or other developmental issues.  (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.)

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

SENIOR SCAMS TARGETED: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold one in a series of "Be Scam Smart" workshops to help seniors avoid financial scams. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, 400 North 35th Ave., Hollywood.)

JOB FAIR HELD: CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will partner with groups and companies such as the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to hold a job fair for careers in the manufacturing and construction industries. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Broward County Library Lauderdale Lakes branch, 3580 West Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes.)

BIRTH CENTERS AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration has scheduled a meeting to discuss birth-center rules. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

STATE COLLEGE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Association of Florida Colleges Board of Directors will meet in Volusia County. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Daytona State College, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

CAUSEWAY REHAB PROJECT ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting on a rehabilitation and safety project involving the MacArthur Causeway East Bridge in Miami-Dade County. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach.)

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

MURPHY SPEAKS AT ‘DEMOCRATIC MAJORITIES’ EVENT: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., will be among the speakers at an event hosted by the group New Democracy. The event, which also will include other Democratic members of Congress from across the country, is titled, “Building New Democratic Majorities.” (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.)

DOUGLAS SAFETY COMMISSION MEETS: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was created after the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, will conclude a three-day meeting. Among the topics will be Florida’s mental-health system and the Baker Act. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

INFANTS AND TODDLERS THE FOCUS: The Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers will discuss issues in the Early Steps program, which provides early-intervention services for families who have infants or toddlers with developmental disabilities or other developmental issues. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 6272156732)

CAMPUS SAFETY SYMPOSIUM BEGINS: The Association of Florida Colleges and the state Division of Florida Colleges will begin a two-day campus safety symposium in Volusia County. Titles of sessions are expected to include, “Taking a Preventative Stance on Campus Safety,” and “Active Shooter --- Run, Hide, Fight.” (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Daytona State College, Mori Hosseini Center, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

BEAN MAKES APPEARANCES IN JACKSONVILLE: Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, is slated to speak to the Society for Human Resource Management Jacksonville and to receive an award from the First Coast Apartment Association. (Thursday, Society for Human Resource Management event, 9:30 a.m., Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10367 Midtown Parkway, Jacksonville. Also, First Coast Apartment Association, 7 p.m., Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel, 10605 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville.)

NATIONAL ECONOMY AT ISSUE: The Economic Estimating Conference will analyze national economic issues. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. This will be the last regular release of opinions before an annual summer break. Regular opinions will resume Aug. 30, though other opinions can be released during the break. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

CITRUS CROP WRAPPED UP: The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide final numbers for the 2017-2018 citrus harvest. Little change is expected from a June forecast that showed orange production off 34.7 percent from the prior growing season and grapefruit production also down sharply. (Thursday, noon. The numbers will be posted at nass.usda.gov/fl.)

AHERN, PETERS SQUARE OFF: State Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, and Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, will appear at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club as they compete for a seat on the Pinellas County Commission. Also slated to take part is candidate Barb Haselden. (Thursday, noon, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD EYES BUDGET: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold a committee meeting, followed by a full board meeting. The board will consider a tentative 2018-2019 budget and millage rates. (Thursday, committee at 12:30 p.m., full board at 1 p.m. Central time, Chipola College Conference Center, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna.)

BIKES COULD REPLACE PARKING: The Florida Department of Transportation District 2 will hold a meeting about plans to replace on-street parking and add bicycle lanes to a portion of Newberry Road in Alachua County. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The Doyle Conner Building, 1911 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville.)

MOODY CAMPAIGNS IN COLLIER COUNTY: Former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody, a Republican running for attorney general, is slated to take part in a Collier County Men’s Republican Club meet-and-greet event. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Stonebridge Country Club, 2100 Winding Oaks Way, Naples.)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES AT SARASOTA GOP EVENT: Republicans Julio Gonzalez, Greg Steube and Bill Akin, who are running in Congressional District 17, are expected to take part in a forum hosted by the Republican Party of Sarasota County Executive Committee. Gonzalez, Steube and Akin are seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, a Republican who decided against seeking re-election. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port.)

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018

CAMPUS SAFETY DISCUSSED: The Association of Florida Colleges and the state Division of Florida Colleges will continue a two-day campus safety symposium in Volusia County. Titles of sessions are expected to include, “Developing Emergency Training, Exercises and Drills Within Your Community” and “Recognizing, Responding and Referring Students in a Mental Health Crisis.” (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Daytona State College, Mori Hosseini Center, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

RESPIRATORY CARE AT ISSUE: The Florida Board of Respiratory Care will meet in Bay County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m. Central time, Sheraton Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Dr., Panama City Beach.)

PODIATRIC MEDICINE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Podiatric Medicine will meet in Osceola County. (Friday, 9 a.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee.)

HEARING AID BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists will meet in Pinellas County. (Friday, 10 a.m., Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State political candidates and committees face a Friday deadline to file reports showing finance activity through July 6.

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018

SHAW, RIZZO IN THE VILLAGES: State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat running for attorney general, and Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo are expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event before a meeting of The Villages Democratic Club. Others expected to take part include legislative candidates Gary McKechnie and Oren Miller and congressional candidate Dana Cottrell. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Colony Cottage, 510 Colony Blvd., The Villages.)