Advances:  Week of June 24, 2018

NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- First came Jeb Bush. Then Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.

Since 1998, Florida Republicans have won five straight races for governor (yes, Charlie Crist was a Republican in 2006).

And Thursday night, Florida voters and Fox News viewers will get a chance to size up the two GOP candidates who hope to keep that streak alive. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Congressman Ron DeSantis will take part in a televised debate that is part of the Republican Party of Florida’s two-day “Sunshine Summit” in Orlando.

The debate will be the first chance for voters to watch Putnam and DeSantis go head to head in their big-money race. The winner of the Aug. 28 GOP primary will face one of five Democrats seeking to move into the governor’s mansion --- Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and businessmen Jeff Greene and Chris King.

While Republican activists take part in the Sunshine Summit this week, Democratic activists will converge Friday in Broward County for the Florida Democratic Party’s “Leadership Blue” weekend.

Aside from politics, the coming week also will involve a changing of the guard at the University of Central Florida. University President John Hitt will retire June 30 after 26 years at the school’s helm.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA SEEKS BUSINESS IN BRAZIL: Enterprise Florida, the state’s business-recruitment agency, will continue a five-day mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The U.S. Commercial Service in Sao Paulo has set up one-on-one appointments with local companies. The Enterprise Florida entourage of 14 people will depart for Brazil on Saturday.

DEUTCH SPEAKS TO PROGRESSIVE GROUP: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., is slated to speak during a brunch meeting of the Palm Beach County chapter of the New Leaders Council. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Broken Sound Club, 2401 Willow Spring, Boca Raton.)

DEMOCRATS BLAST TRUMP ON IMMIGRATION: Democratic members of Congress Ted Deutch, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson, state Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, and state Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, are expected to take part in an event protesting a move by President Donald Trump’s administration that led to separating undocumented immigrant children from their parents. (Sunday, 2 p.m., U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse, 299 East Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Liberty, Duval and Gadsden counties. (Monday, 9 a.m., Veterans Memorial Civic Center, 10405 N.W. Theo Jacobs Lane, Bristol. Also, 10 a.m., Jim Fortuna Senior Center, 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville. Also, 12:30 p.m., Havana City Hall, 711 North Main St., Havana.)

POLK STATE TRUSTEES MEET: The Polk State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 4 p.m., Polk State College, Winter Haven Campus, 999 Avenue H N.E., Winter Haven.)

DEADLINE FOR CCRC APPLICANTS: Candidates to become capital collateral regional counsels for the Northern, Middle, and Southern districts of Florida face a 5 p.m. Monday deadline to apply to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. The so-called CCRCs represent Death Row inmates.

SHAW DISCUSSES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS: State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat running for attorney general, will hold a town-hall meeting about proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. (Monday, 6 p.m., Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 East Palm Ave., Tampa.)

LEWIS, GIBSON SPEAK TO DEMOCRATIC CLUB: Democrats Kathy Lewis and Joy Gibson, who are running in state Senate District 20, are slated to speak to the New Tampa Democratic Club. Lewis and Gibson are trying to unseat Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, in the district, which includes parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. (Monday, 7 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will meet in advance of a Wednesday state Cabinet meeting. During the Wednesday meeting, Scott and the Cabinet are expected to appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear, who recently announced he was stepping down as commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. Breakspear made the announcement under pressure from Patronis. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

JUVENILE JUSTICE STUDY RELEASED: Officials from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the James Madison Institute are expected to take part in a media conference call to release a study titled, “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts.” (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-813-769-0500. Code: 664087887)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district Brooksville office, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in St. Lucie, Indian River and Lake counties. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Port St. Lucie City Hall, 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Also, 12:30 p.m., North Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian. Also, 4 p.m., American Legion Post 347, 699 West Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake.)

PSC APPLICANTS EYED: The Florida Public Service Nominating Council will consider applicants for two seats on the Public Service Commission. The nominating council is expected to designate a list of “most qualified” candidates to interview for the posts. The seats are currently held by Public Service Commission members Julie Brown and Gary Clark, whose terms expire in January. Brown and Clark have applied for reappointment. The nominating council will send a short list of candidates to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make the appointments. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Greater Aviation Orlando Authority, Orlando International Airport, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

FEA ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE: The Florida Education Association will hold a media call to announce an initiative aimed at improving public schools. Participants are expected to include union President Joanne McCall. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. Reporters may register at https://floridaea.zoom.us/meeting/register/9061f438fd4cdff2d746f627e8486654)

BOARD OF GOVERNORS PANELS MEET: Starting a three-day Florida Board of Governors meeting at the University of Central Florida, the Academic and Research Excellence Committee will review reports from the Florida Council of 100 on higher-education research. The university-system board’s Strategic Planning Committee will follow with a review of the annual accountability plans for the 12 state universities. (Tuesday, meetings start at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353)

CHILDREN’S ISSUES ON TABLE: The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet will meet for the first time since the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Damien Kelly, director of the state Office of Safe Schools, and Jacob Oliva, a vice chancellor of the K-12 system, will make a presentation on school safety requirements. Amy C. Riggen, a school health program administrator for the Florida Department of Health, will discuss issues related to mental health and schools. Members of the Cabinet agreed last summer to make mental health and substance abuse a top focus. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hillsborough County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

BROWARD COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Broward College Board of Trustees will take up numerous issues, including a 2018-2019 operating budget. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Willis Holcombe Downtown Center, 111 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

U.S. 1 PROJECT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation District 4 will hold an open house on planned improvements to U.S. 1 in Martin County, between Southeast Salerno Road and Southeast Fischer Street, south of Stuart. (Tuesday, 4 p.m. Port Salerno Civic Center, 4950 S.E. Anchor Ave., Port Salerno.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees will meet and discuss issues such as student course fees. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Chautauqua Center, 908 West Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs.)

LAKE COUNTY TRAIL PROJECT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation District 5 will present plans to extend the multi-use South Lake Trail by 1.8 miles in Lake County. (Tuesday, 5 p.m. E.L. Puryear Building/Community Center, 243 South Lake Ave, Groveland.) 

MANATEE-SARASOTA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Board of Trustees of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will meet and discuss a 2018-2019 budget. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Bradenton Campus, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton.)

BELLANTI RAISES MONEY FOR HOUSE BID: A fundraising event will be held for Democrat Debra Bellanti, who is seeking to unseat Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, in Hillsborough County’s House District 60. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pane Rustica, 3225 South MacDill Ave., Tampa.)

SOUTH FLORIDA ROAD WIDENING ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Transportation District 6 will discuss plans to widen Okeechobee Road from the Broward County Line to west of the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike in Miami Dade County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Westland Gardens Park, 13501 N.W. 107th Ave., Hialeah Gardens.)

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS DISCUSSED: Erika Donalds, a member of the state Constitution Revision Commission, will appear at Cape Coral Republican Club meeting to discuss proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Personal Touch Catering, 1530 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

NEW FINANCIAL REGULATOR CONSIDERED: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will hold a conference call and are expected to appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear, who recently announced he was stepping down as commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Cabinet, pressured Breakspear to leave the post. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., public access in the Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

UNIVERSITY ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Strategic Planning Committee of the state university system’s Board of Governors will continue a review of the annual accountability plans for the 12 state universities. At 11:30 a.m., the Board of Governors will have a recognition ceremony for retiring University of Central Florida President John Hitt. Afternoon meetings include the Innovation and Online Committee, the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, the Facilities Committee and the Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Health Task Force. (Wednesday, meetings start at 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353)

SCOTT SPEAKS AT COUNTIES EVENT: Gov. Rick Scott will speak during the opening ceremony of the Florida Association of Counties annual conference. Other topics during the day will include the opioid crisis and the security of voting systems. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.)

GREENWAYS AND TRAILS DISCUSSED: The Florida Greenways and Trails Council will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Sheriffs Association, Blackburn-Hunt Building, 2617 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

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

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Suwannee, Lafayette, Pasco and Hamilton counties. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., The Train Depot, 210 Ohio Ave., Live Oak. Also, noon, Lafayette County Commission chamber, 120 West Main St., Mayo. Also, 1 p.m., Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City. Also, 3 p.m., 208 West Hatley St., Jasper.)

VALENCIA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Valencia College Board of Trustees will meet and take up issues such as a 2018-2019 operating budget and a capital-improvement plan. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Valencia College, School of Public Safety, 8600 Valencia College Lane, Orlando.)

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.)

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

GULF CONSORTIUM GATHERS: The Gulf Consortium Board of Directors, which works on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will meet in Orange County. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The College of Central Florida Board of Trustees will take up a series of issues, including approval of a 2018-2019 operating budget. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., College of Central Florida, Ocala Campus, Founders Hall, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.)

LAKE-SUMTER TRUSTEES MEET: The Lake-Sumter State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Lake-Sumter State College, Student Services Building, 9501 U.S. 441, Leesburg.)

KATT KICKS OFF HOUSE CAMPAIGN: A campaign kickoff event is scheduled for Democrat Debbie Katt, who is running in Hillsborough County’s House District 57. Katt is trying to succeed Rep. Jake Raburn, a Lithia Republican who decided against seeking another term. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Joia Fabulous Pizza & Martini Bar, 10475 Gibsonton Dr., Riverview.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

LAWMAKERS TAKE PART IN COUNTIES EVENT: The Florida Association of Counties will continue its annual conference, with events including a workshop titled, “Running for Higher Office: What You Need to Know.” A panel discussion is expected to include former Secretary of State Sandra Mortham; state Rep. Charlie Stone, R-Ocala; state Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry; state Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island; and former lawmakers Steve Geller and Nancy Detert. Speakers on other panels during the day are expected to include state Rep. Kristin Jacobs, D-Coconut Creek; state Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg; and Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg. (Thursday, panels start at 8:15 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr., Orlando.)

BOARD OF GOVERNORS PANELS MEET: The Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the state university system’s Board of Governors will meet, followed by the Two + Two Articulation Committee. (Thursday, meetings start at 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353)

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AT ISSUE: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze pre-K-12 enrollment related to capital outlay funding. (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 Jackson, Okaloosa, Calhoun and Bay counties. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Malone Town Hall, 5182 Ninth Ave., Malone. Also, 10 a.m., Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin. Also, noon, Calhoun County Public Library, 17731 North Pear St., Blountstown. Also, 12:30 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars, 17680 Ashley Dr., Panama City Beach.)

GULF COAST COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Gulf Coast State College, Robert L. McSpadden Student Union West, Panama City.)

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETS: The state university system’s Board of Governors will consider confirmation of the reappointments of Mark Rosenberg as president of Florida International University and Donal O’Shea as president of New College of Florida. The board will also vote on an annual performance funding allocation for the universities. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353)

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

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATION SOUGHT: The Florida Department of Children and Families and Big Bend Community Based Care will host a regional meeting 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. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Gold Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, 210 East 11th St., Panama City.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold “mobile” office hours in Hardee County. (Thursday, 1:15 p.m., Hardee Chamber of Commerce, 135 East Bay St., Wauchula.)

SMITH STATUE AT ISSUE: The state Statue Location Selection Committee will discuss where a statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith will be displayed after it is returned to Florida. A likeness of Smith has long represented Florida in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. But Florida lawmakers this year approved replacing the statue of Smith with a statue of civil-rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune. (Thursday, 2 p.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.)

BUCHANAN RAISES MONEY FOR RE-ELECTION BID: A campaign fundraising event is slated for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who is running for re-election in Congressional District 16. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., 835 Longboat Club Road, Longboat Key.)

GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES DEBATE: Republican gubernatorial candidates Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis are slated to take part in a Fox News debate that will be part of the Republican Party of Florida’s “Sunshine Summit.” (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.)

KIMAZ CAMPAIGNS IN DEERFIELD BEACH: 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. (Thursday, 7 p.m., JB’s on the Beach, 300 N.E. 21st Ave., Deerfield Beach.)

CAMPBELL HONORED IN BROWARD: Sen. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, will be honored during the Female Development World Organization’s annual Protect the Children Gala Dinner. (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., The Venue, 2345 Wilton Dr., Fort Lauderdale.)

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS HOLD CALL: The Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators will hold a conference call. (Friday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7342425515)

‘SUNSHINE SUMMIT’ CONTINUES: The Republican Party of Florida will continue and feature numerous speakers, including U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and conservative figures such as Dinesh D’Souza and Grover Norquist  (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.)

WARD AT LAKE COUNTY GOP: Republican John Ward, who is running for an open seat in Congressional District 6, is slated to take part in a Lake County GOP “Coffee with the Candidate” gathering. The District 6 seat opened when U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis decided to run for governor. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.)

DEMOCRATS START ‘LEADERSHIP BLUE’ EVENT: The Florida Democratic Party will start its “Leadership Blue 2018” event in Broward County. Among other things, the first day of the event will include a meeting of caucus presidents. (Friday, 3 p.m., The Diplomat Beach Resort, 3555 South Ocean Dr., Hollywood.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS GATHER: The Florida Democratic Party will continue its “Leadership Blue 2018” event. Meetings will be held throughout the day, with the Leadership Blue Gala in the evening. (Saturday, sessions start at 9 a.m., with gala at 7 p.m., The Diplomat Beach Resort, 3555 South Ocean Dr., Hollywood.)

HITT RETIRES AS UCF PRESIDENT: John Hitt, who has served as president of the University of Central Florida for 26 years, will retire June 30. Hitt will be succeeded by Dale Whittaker, the university’s provost and executive vice president. Under Hitt, UCF has grown from 21,000 students in 1992 to more than 66,000 this year.