Advances:  Week of June 2, 2019

By NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- Florida Democrats were devastated by the 2016 election.

Not only did Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, but his victories in Florida and key states in the Midwest catapulted him into the White House.

As a sign of Florida’s importance, Trump will hold a rally June 18 in Orlando to announce his 2020 re-election bid. The announcement is pretty much a formality, as Trump has been holding campaign-style events across the country.

But for Democrats, it is a reminder of what’s to come --- as if they need a reminder.

Trump, no doubt, will be the center of conversation next weekend when the Florida Democratic Party holds its annual “Leadership Blue” event at a Disney resort. The party will use the gathering to try to fire up the faithful, though its presidential candidates will be absent because they will be campaigning in Iowa.

For Florida Democrats, problems go beyond Trump. They haven’t won a gubernatorial race since 1994, haven’t controlled a legislative chamber since 1996 and don’t have a Democratic U.S. senator. But you can bet that many Democrats would be willing to overlook all of that if they could defeat Trump next year in Florida and help drive him out of Washington.

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019

CONGRESSWOMAN GETS HURRICANE BRIEFING: U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., will receive a briefing about hurricane readiness and tour the Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management. (Monday, 9 a.m., Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management, 9300 N.W. 41st St., Miami.)

MOODY TARGETS PRICE GOUGING: Attorney General Ashley Moody will hold a news conference about price gouging. She will be joined by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Clearwater Police Chief Daniel Slaughter. (Monday, 10 a.m., Office of the Attorney General, 3507 East Frontage Road, Suite 325, Tampa.)

ELDER AFFAIRS AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs Advisory Council will hold a conference call. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 306160230.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard, Okaloosa, Broward and Washington counties. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Sunflower House, Brevard, 777 East Merritt Island Causeway, Suite 201, Merritt Island. Also, noon Central time, Crestview Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Dr., Crestview. Also, 1 p.m., Kings Court Building, 7620 Nob Hill Road, Tamarac. Also, 2 p.m. Central time, Chipley City Hall, 1442 West Jackson Ave., Chipley.)

UF PANEL MEETS: The Committee on Governance, Government Relations and Internal Affairs of the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., University of Florida, 123 Tigert Hall, Gainesville.)

FOOD ‘INSECURITY’ TARGETED: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will help launch a program that will provide subsidized Lyft rides to grocery stores for 130 low-income families struggling with food “insecurity.” (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Liberty City Garden, 1834 N.W. 60th St., Miami.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2019

NEW AREA CODE TAKES EFFECT: With the 407 area code running out of numbers, a new 689 area code will begin Tuesday in parts of Central Florida. The state Public Service Commission last year approved moving ahead with the new area code. The change is what is known as an “overlay” of the 407 and 321 area codes in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties and parts of Lake and Volusia counties. Customers will be assigned numbers with the 689 area code when they request new service or additional lines. Numbers will not change for current customers with 407 and 321 area codes, while 10-digit dialing will continue to be required for local calls. Brevard County, which uses the 321 area code, will not be part of the overlay. The new area code has been in the works for more than a decade, but the Public Service Commission last year set Tuesday’s implementation date as the North American Numbering Plan Administrator estimated that the 407 area code would run out of numbers in the third quarter of 2019.

SCHOOL SAFETY AT ISSUE: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission will meet in Broward County and take up a series of issues, including discussion of a major school-safety bill (SB 7030) passed during this year’s legislative session. The commission was formed after the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and has made recommendations about bolstering school safety. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.)

DESANTIS, CABINET MEET: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet will meet and take up a series of issues, including a recap their trip to Israel and interviewing a candidate for clemency coordinator. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Volusia, Miami-Dade, Gulf, Sarasota and DeSoto counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., West Volusia Chamber of Commerce, 132 Treemonte Dr., Orange City. Also, 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 10 a.m. Central time, Wewahitchka Senior Center, 307 East Third St., Wewahitchka. Also, 1 p.m., Gulf County Public Library, 110 Library Dr., Port St. Joe. Also, 2 p.m., Ruth A. Tinsman Pavilion, 6545 West 24th Ave., Hialeah. Also, 3:30 p.m., North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota. Also, 5:30 p.m., Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 N.E. Roan St., Arcadia.)

FAU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will hold a series of committee meetings and a full board meeting. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, Administration Building, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

MENTAL HEALTH BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Board of Mental Health Professions will hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 744469610.)

AGRICULTURE PANEL MEETS: The Agricultural Feed, Seed and Fertilizer Advisory Council, which works on regulatory and enforcement issues, will meet. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, Bob Crawford Agricultural Center, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Niceville Campus, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)

HILLSBOROUGH PARK AT ISSUE: The state Division of Recreation and Parks will hold a meeting about a 10-year management plan update for Hillsborough River State Park. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Hillsborough River State Park Recreation Hall, 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019

CLEMENCY ISSUES CONSIDERED: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet --- Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis --- will meet as the state Clemency Board. (Wednesday, 8 a.m. Cabinet Meeting Room, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL SAFETY AT ISSUE: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission will meet in Broward County, with topics expected to include public-safety communications systems. The commission was formed after the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and has made recommendations about bolstering school safety. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.)

JUDGE FACES REPRIMAND: The Florida Supreme Court will take up four issues, including a public reprimand for a Broward County circuit judge because of improper conduct during a criminal trial. Justices in April accepted a recommendation from the state Judicial Qualifications Commission that Judge Dennis Daniel Bailey violated the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct and should be disciplined. The disciplinary proceeding stems from Bailey’s conduct during an April 2018 criminal trial in which two defense attorneys were trying to make arguments during a sidebar conference. Bailey became frustrated and ordered a courtroom deputy to approach the bench and remove one of the defense attorneys, with the order made in the presence of the jury, according to the Supreme Court’s April order. Bailey also subsequently denied a motion that he disqualify himself from the case. The Supreme Court order listed a series of judicial canons that he violated. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

PAROLE CASES CONSIDERED: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

ESTIMATING CONFERENCE HELD: The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold what is known as a post-session “impact” conference. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HILLSBOROUGH PARK AT ISSUE: The state Division of Recreation and Parks will hold a meeting with the Hillsborough River State Park Advisory Group about a management plan update for the park. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hillsborough River State Park Recreation Hall, 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Hillsborough, Sumter, Hendry and Marion counties. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Old Town Hall, 1002 Cherry Hills Dr., Sun City Center. Also, 10 a.m., Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, The Villages. Also, 2 p.m., LaBelle City Hall, 481 West Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle. Also, 2 p.m., Marion County Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.)

BROWARD SHERIFF CASE TEED UP: Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will hold a prehearing conference in an appeal by suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Israel, accusing the sheriff of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related, at least in part, to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Israel requested a hearing from the Senate, which has the authority to remove or reinstate officials suspended by the governor. As special master, Goodlette will hold a hearing and make a recommendation to the Senate. The hearing is scheduled to start June 18. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEMORIAL HELD FOR D’ALEMBERTE:  A memorial service will be held for Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, a former Florida State University president and law-school dean, who died May 20 at age 85. D’Alemberte served in the state House from 1966 to 1972, was a prominent lawyer in Florida for decades and was a former president of the American Bar Association. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Florida State University, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, 222 South Copeland St., Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019

FAMU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida A&M University, The Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.)

MEDICAID CHANGES WEIGHED: The state Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about proposed amendments to what is known as a “waiver” in the Medicaid program. The proposal deals with issues such as behavioral-health and supportive housing-assistance services and the Low Income Pool program. (9:30 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 6800 North Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 220, Tampa.)

USF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Tampa.)

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GATHER: The Council of Presidents of the Florida College System will begin a two-day annual meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Villas of Grand Cypress, 1 North Jacaranda, Orlando.)

COMMUNITIES TRUST PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Florida Communities Trust Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Department of Environmental Protection, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

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

SARASOTA LAWMAKERS AT TIGER BAY: The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club will receive a legislative update from Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota; Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton; Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota; and Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota. (Thursday, noon, Michael’s on East, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade and Polk counties. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Milander Manor, 815 West 75th St., Hialeah. Also, 2 p.m., Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, 340 West Central Ave., Lake Wales.)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ‘TAX’ HOLIDAY ENDS: A week-long disaster-preparedness tax “holiday” will end at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. During the period, shoppers will be able to buy a variety of hurricane supplies without paying sales taxes. The supplies include battery packages and non-electric food storage coolers that cost $30 or less; self-powered light sources that cost $20 or less; tarpaulins, self-powered radios, ground anchor systems and weather-band radios that cost $50 or less; and portable generators that cost $750 or less. The annual hurricane season lasts from June 1 through Nov. 30.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet in Miami-Dade County. (Friday, 8 a.m., Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon, 5101 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami.)

ETHICS PANEL TAKES UP GILLUM CASE: The Florida Commission on Ethics will take up a case involving 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum after a settlement was reached. In January, the commission unanimously found probable cause that Gillum, in his former role as Tallahassee mayor, violated state ethics laws for allegedly accepting gifts from Tallahassee entrepreneur Adam Corey and undercover FBI agents posing as developers. The case involved allegations related to trips to Costa Rica and New York, a boat ride around the Statue of Liberty and a ticket to the Broadway hit, “Hamilton.” Gillum, who narrowly lost the November election to Gov. Ron DeSantis, has long denied wrongdoing and battled the ethics case in the state Division of Administrative Hearings. As an administrative law judge was poised to begin a hearing, Gillum and an attorney for the ethics commission reached a settlement that included Gillum agreeing to pay a $5,000 fine. The settlement, known as a stipulation, remains subject to approval by the ethics commission. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

FSU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida State University Board of Trustees will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GATHER: The Council of Presidents of the Florida College System will continue a two-day annual meeting, including holding a session with system Chancellor Kathy Hebda. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Villas of Grand Cypress, 1 North Jacaranda, Orlando.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Flagler, Orange and St. Johns counties. (Friday, noon, Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell. Also, 2 p.m., United Against Poverty, 150 West Michigan St., Orlando. Also, 3 p.m., St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A South, St. Augustine Beach.)

DEMOCRATS GATHER AT DISNEY: The Florida Democratic Party will start its “Leadership Blue” weekend event. Friday will include committee meetings and welcome receptions. (Friday, meetings start at 3 p.m., Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Orlando.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019

DEMOCRATS GATHER AT DISNEY: The Florida Democratic Party will continue its “Leadership Blue” weekend event. Saturday will include training and caucus meetings and an evening gala event. speakers will include U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., U.S. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez. (Saturday, meetings start at 9 a.m., with gala at 7 p.m., Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Orlando.)

NEW COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The New College of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Sudakoff Conference Center, 5845 General Dougher Place, Sarasota.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Seminole County. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Husseini Islamic Center, 786 Myrtle St., Sanford.)