Advances: Week of June 17, 2018

 

June 15, 2018

NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- In some ways, qualifying for the November elections is a formality.

Candidates have been raising money for months, appearing at campaign events and eyeing their opponents. But with the qualifying period starting Monday in hundreds of state and local races, some candidates could be in the express lane toward election.

Three incumbent senators --- Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, and Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale --- had not drawn opponents as of Friday morning.

Meanwhile, 21 House candidates, including two newcomers, also could be headed toward election without opposition. They are Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace; Rep. Mel Ponder, R-Destin; Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna; Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello; Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee; Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee; Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville; Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala; Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee; Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Ocoee; Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando; Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana; Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton; Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale; Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach; Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura; Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park; Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens; Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami; newcomer Alex Andrade, R-Gulf Breeze; and newcomer Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach.

That all could change, of course, before qualifying ends at noon next Friday. Some of those legislative candidates could draw opponents at the last minute. Meanwhile, other candidates could cruise into office if their opponents do not qualify.

But it’s safe to assume that candidates across the state will be regularly checking the state elections website to find out who qualifies --- and who doesn’t.

MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2018

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. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, Wildwood.)

INTERVIEWS OF ABUSED CHILDREN AT ISSUE: The Forensic Interview Protocol Task Force, which works on issues related to forensic interviews of children suspected of having suffered abuse, will meet. (Monday, 9 a.m., Embassy Suites Orlando, 8978 International Dr., Orlando.)

EASTERN FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Eastern Florida State College Board of Trustees will take up a series of issues, including 2018-2019 operating and capital-outlay budgets. (Monday, 9 a.m., Eastern Florida State College, Melbourne Campus, Public Safety Institute, 3865 North Wickham Road, Melbourne.)

ELECTION QUALIFYING STARTS: Qualifying for candidates to run for offices across the state will start Monday and continue until noon Friday. The most-prominent candidates will qualify in the race for governor, where Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis are squaring off for the Republican nomination and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, businessmen Jeff Greene and Chris King and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine are seeking the Democratic nomination. Others qualifying will include candidates for agriculture commissioner, attorney general, state chief financial officer and more than 140 legislative seats. (Monday, noon.)

SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Seminole State College of Florida Board of Trustees will meet and discuss issues such as the 2018-2019 budget and a 2019-2020 capital-improvement plan. (Monday, 2 p.m., Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, Room A200, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford.)

TCC TRUSTEES MEET: The Tallahassee Community College Board of Trustees will meet and take up issues such as an operating budget for 2018-2019 and a capital-improvement plan for 2019-2020 through 2023-2024. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Tallahassee Community College, Hinson Administration Building, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee.)

SHAW CAMPAIGNS IN JACKSONVILLE: State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat running for attorney general, is slated to appear at the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee meeting. (Monday, 6 p.m., IBEW union hall, 966 Liberty St., Jacksonville.)

POWELL SPEAKS TO DEMOCRATIC CLUB: State Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, is expected to give a legislative update during a meeting of the Mid-County Democratic Club. (Monday, 7 p.m., Tree’s Wings and Ribs, 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach.)

KIMAZ CAMPAIGNS IN BROWARD: Republican Nicolas Kimaz, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., in Congressional District 22, will hold a campaign event in Broward County. (Monday, 7 p.m., Olive Garden Restaurant, 5550 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

COMMISSION TAKES UP AIRBOAT RULES: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will open a two-day meeting with discussions about issues such as new rules for airboat operators who have commercial passengers. Also, the commission will consider fencing standards for hunting preserves. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.)

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Petersburg College of Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. North, Clearwater.)

CITIZENS INSURANCE PANELS MEET: Committees of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a series of meetings in advance of a full board meeting Wednesday. Among the topics will be the Market Accountability Advisory Committee discussing “depopulation” efforts to move policies into the private insurance market. Also, the Actuarial and Underwriting Committee will discuss 2019 rate filings. (Tuesday, meetings start at 11 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland.)

ENRIQUEZ, MARTINEZ AT GOP WOMEN’S CLUB: Javier Enriquez, a candidate in Miami-Dade County’s House District 114, and Annie Martinez, a candidate in House District 119, are slated to speak to the Old Cutler Republican Women’s Club. (Tuesday, noon, Brio Tuscan Grille, 8888 S.W. 136th St., Miami.)

DAYTONA STATE TRUSTEES MEET: The Daytona State College Board of Trustees will hold a workshop and a regular meeting. (Tuesday, workshop at 1 p.m., regular meeting at 2 p.m., Daytona State College, Building 100, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

UTILITY STORM PLANS AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will consider a draft report about utilities’ hurricane preparedness and restoration activities. The draft report will address ways that utilities could reduce outages and speed up power restoration. Millions of Floridians lost power when Hurricane Irma tore through the state in September. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

SANTA FE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees will hold a workshop and a regular meeting. (Tuesday, workshop at 2:30 p.m., with board meeting at 4 p.m., Santa Fe College, Northwest Campus, Building S, 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville.)

RECEPTION HELD FOR FIRST LADY: Florida First Lady Ann Scott will be honored during a reception hosted by the Women’s Republican Club of Naples Federated, the Republican Women of Southwest Florida Federated and the Southwest Florida Young Republicans. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., The Continental, 1205 Third St., Naples.)

ROAD WIDENING DISCUSSED IN COLLIER: The Florida Department of Transportation District 1 will hold a hearing on plans to widen State Road 29 in Collier County, from State Road 82 to the Hendry County line. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2685 State Road 29, Immokalee.)

LEE COUNTY PATH PROJECT AT ISSUE: A public hearing on creating a non-motorized path along Bayshore Road in Lee County will be held by the Florida Department of Transportation District 1. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, Fort Myers.)

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT: The Florida Department of Transportation District 5 will hold a public hearing in Lake County on safety improvements for the area of U.S. 27 at the intersection of Weston Hills Boulevard and Holly Grove Boulevard. (Tuesday, 5 p.m. Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 South Highway 27, Clermont.)

NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The North Florida Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., North Florida Community College, board room, 325 N.W. Turner Davis Dr., Madison.)

PSC HOLDS CUSTOMER MEETING IN POLK: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting about proposed increases in water and wastewater rates for Orchid Springs Development Corp. in Polk County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Chain O’ Lakes Complex, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. West, Winter Haven.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN SEMINOLE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to campaign at a breakfast event in Seminole County. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., The Townhouse Restaurant, 139 North Central Ave., Oviedo.)

SHRIMP RULES ON TABLE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hear a staff proposal about rules related to shrimp harvested and sold alive as food. Currently, bait shrimp are maintained alive but shrimp for food is required to iced. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota.)

CITIZENS RATES ON TABLE: The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will meet in Central Florida and is expected to discuss 2019 rate filings. It also is expected to discuss new lobbyist registration rules, which involve a change in the corporation’s internal code of ethics. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland. Call-in number: 1-888-942-8686. Code: 5743735657)

CITRUS ISSUES DISCUSSED: As the 2017-2018 growing season comes to an end, the Florida Citrus Commission is set to discuss its budget, market research and scientific research. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 2265370149)

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a rule-development workshop about underground storage tanks. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 2600 Blair Stone Road, conference room 609, Tallahassee.)

UCF TRUSTEES EYE STADIUM USE: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will take up issues such as allowing Spectrum Stadium to be rented for professional football games. The proposal stems from a new professional spring football league that plans to have a team in Orlando. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., University of Central Florida, Millican Hall, provost’s conference room, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Code: 463796)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold “mobile” office hours in Polk and DeSoto counties. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Mulberry Library, 905 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry. Also, 10 a.m., DeSoto County Administration Building, 201 East Oak St., Arcadia. Also, 10:30 a.m., Bartow Public Library, 2150 South Broadway Ave., Bartow. Also, 1:15 p.m., Fort Meade Community Center, 10 S.W. Third St., Fort Meade.)

SPACE INDUSTRY ISSUES AIRED: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet and review a number of projects that involve SpaceX, Blue Origin rocket testing, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the common use of infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center, as well as deals in progress under code names Project Forge, Project Pine, Project Blue Heron and Project Made In Space.  (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., The Westshore Grand, 4860 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Call-in Number: 1-866-528-2256. Code: 2120278)

COURT TO HEAR DISPUTE OVER EX-COACHES: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in similar breach-of-contract lawsuits filed against Florida A&M University by former basketball coach Clemon Johnson and former football coach Earl Holmes. Johnson and Holmes went to the appeals court after Leon County Circuit Judge James Shelfer, in separate rulings last year, sided with the university in the contract disputes. Johnson, who was fired in April 2014 after three years as the basketball coach, has argued, in part, that he had a four-year guaranteed contract and that the university breached it by firing him a year early for “convenience.” But FAMU argued in court documents that it followed university regulations in deciding not to reappoint Johnson. Similarly, Holmes served as football coach from February 2013 to January 2015. Holmes has that he had a guaranteed four-year contract and that his termination violated the contract. Johnson and Holmes played at Florida A&M as students and later went on to pro careers in the NBA and the NFL, respectively. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Florida Development Finance Corp., 156 Tuskawilla Road, Suite 2340, Winter Springs. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292. Code: 1117579078)

ST. JOHNS RIVER COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., St. Johns River State College, Administration Building, 5001 St. Johns Ave., Palatka.)

PSC HOLDS CUSTOMER MEETING IN POLK: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a customer meeting about proposed increases in water and wastewater rates for River Ranch Water Management, L.L.C. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Long Horn Center at River Ranch, 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch.)

LEMIEUX SPEAKS TO GOP GROUP: Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., will speak during a meeting of the Federated Republican Women of North Dade. Also expected to take part are Rhonda Lopez, a candidate in state House District 115, Bibi Potestad, a candidate in state House District 119, and Joe Kaufman, a candidate in Congressional District 23. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, 1395 N.W. 57th Ave., Miami.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet in Hillsborough County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., The Westshore Grand, 4860 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

JOB FAIR HELD: CareerSource Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, home builders and Uber will combine to hold a job fair in the Panhandle. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Pensacola State College, Milton Campus, 5988 Highway 90, Milton.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold “mobile” office hours in Lee County. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., The Shell Factory, Chamber of Commerce office, 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers.)

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

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AT ISSUE: A joint Committee on Controlled Substances, which includes members of the boards of Pharmacy, Podiatric Medicine, Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Optometry and Podiatric Medicine and the Council on Physician Assistants, will meet. The joint committee is working to carry out a new law (HB 21) aimed at helping curb the state’s opioid epidemic. (Thursday, 1 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando.)

MEDICAID DRUGS EYED: The state Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board will meet in Hillsborough County. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore-Airport Area, 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

I-75 PROJECT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation District 1 will hold a public hearing on a proposal to rebuild the interchange at Interstate 75 and Fruitville Road in Sarasota County into a “diverging diamond interchange” and to widen the interstate to eight lanes from Palmer Boulevard to north of Fruitville Road. (Thursday, 5 p.m. Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota.)

CUMMINGS CAMPAIGNS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Republican Dave Cummings, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., in Congressional District 18, is slated to appear at a meeting of the Palm Beach County Young Republicans. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Tom Sawyer Country Restaurant, 3208 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

NORTH CENTRAL PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council will meet in Columbia County. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 213 S.W. Commerce Blvd., Lake City.)

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

PREFERRED DRUG LIST ON TABLE: The state Medicaid Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics Committee, which makes recommendations for drugs to be included on a preferred-drug list, will meet in Hillsborough County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore-Airport Area, 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)

BOARD OF OPTOMETRY MEETS: The Florida Board of Optometry will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 9 a.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando.)

BOARD OF ACUPUNCTURE MEETS: The Florida Board of Acupuncture will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

STARGEL AT LAKE COUNTY GOP: State Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican running for re-election in Senate District 22, is slated to take part in a Lake County GOP “Coffee with the Candidate” gathering. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.)

ABLE TRUST HOLDS FINALS OF SPEECH CONTEST: The Able Trust, which works to provide opportunities to people with disabilities, will host the finals of its annual Jeannie Amendola Speech & Research Competition. The finals include high-school students from Lauderdale Lakes, Oviedo, Quincy and Orlando. (Friday, 11 a.m., Golden Eagle Golf & Country Club, 3700 Golden Eagle Dr. East, Tallahassee.)

ELECTION QUALIFYING ENDS: Qualifying for candidates to run for offices across the state will end Friday. Candidates for governor, state Cabinet offices and the Legislature will be among those qualifying during the week. Primary elections will be held Aug. 28, with the general election Nov. 6. (Friday, noon.)

AUTHOR SCHWEIZER SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY: Author Peter Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute, will speak to the Panhandle Tiger Bay Club. Schweizer will speak on the topic, “The New Corruption: Why It’s Worse Than You Think.” (Friday, noon, Skopelos at New World, 600 South Palafox St., Pensacola.) 

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FINANCIAL REGULATOR: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will accept applications through June 22 from candidates to become commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. Commissioner Drew Breakspear recently announced that he would leave the post, under pressure from state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. The position is advertised to pay a salary of $120,000 to $140,000 a year.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

DEMOCRATIC CHAIR SPEAKS IN LAKE COUNTY: Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo is slated to speak at a Lake County Democratic Party breakfast. (Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Leesburg Community Center, 201 East Dixie Ave., Leesburg.)

FOOD POLICY COUNCIL MEETS: The Florida Food Policy Council will meet in Seminole County. Discussion is expected on issues such as upcoming forum in the race for state agriculture commissioner. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Sanford Civic Center, 401 East Seminole Blvd., Sanford.)

TRIPP RAISES MONEY IN HD 25: Democrat Katie Tripp, who is running against Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, in Volusia County’s House District 25, is slated to hold a fundraiser. (Saturday, 6 p.m., 128 Point O Woods Dr., Daytona Beach.)