The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – August 15, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, AUGUST 12, 2016…. State regulators will hold hearings during the coming week on major insurance issues that could affect the bank accounts of businesses and homeowners. The Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a hearing Tuesday on a proposed increase in workers' compensation insurance rates and will follow Thursday with a hearing on a proposal by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to raise rates.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

LOBBYIST REPORTS DUE: Lobbyists face a Sunday deadline for filing reports detailing their compensation from April 1 to June 30.

MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2016

GENERAL REVENUE ANALYZED: State economists, meeting as the Revenue Estimating Conference, will analyze general revenue, which plays a critical role in funding schools, health programs and prisons. (Monday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ALBRITTON, POULIN AT TIGER BAY: State Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and his Democratic challenger in House District 56, David Poulin, are scheduled to appear at the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Bartow Civic Center, 2250 South Floral Ave., Bartow.)

SOTO, WRIGHT CAMPAIGN IN POLK COUNTY: State Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat running this year in Congressional District 9, and Democrat Deborah Wright, who is running in state Senate District 22, are expected to speak during a meeting of the Polk County Democratic Black Caucus. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Neighborhood Service Center, 608 Avenue S N.E., Winter Haven.)

EARLY VOTING STARTS: Early voting for the Aug. 30 primary elections will start in 24 counties. Early voting is mandated from Aug. 20 through Aug. 27, but county supervisors of election have the discretion to begin sooner.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016

WORKERS' COMP RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a hearing on a proposal to raise workers' compensation insurance rates by 19.6 percent. The proposal, filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, stems largely from a Florida Supreme Court ruling that overturned limits on attorneys' fees in workers' compensation cases. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ELECTIONS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Elections Commission is scheduled to start a two-day meeting. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

UWF PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH DISCUSSED: The University of West Florida Presidential Search Committee will meet to discuss the search for a replacement to outgoing President Judith Bense. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Central time, UWF Conference Center, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola.)

BEAN HELPS DISTRIBUTE FOOD: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will tour the Journey Church's Outreach Center and help distribute food to needy families. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Journey Church Outreach Center, 95707 Amelia Concourse, Yulee.)

HOUSE CANDIDATES AT 'WOMEN VOTE' EVENT: Democrat Tracie Davis, who is running in state House District 13, and Democrat Leslie Jean-Bart, who is running in state House District 14, are scheduled to take part in a "Women Vote" event in Duval County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. Casa Marina Hotel, 691 First St. North, Jacksonville Beach.)

FLORES SPEAKS TO GOP WOMEN: State Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, is expected to speak to the Old Cutler Republican Womens Club. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Red Lobster Restaurant, 8705 S.W. 136th St., Miami.)

LANGE ADDRESSES LGBTA CAUCUS: Democrat Jim Lange, who is running in Congressional District 15, is expected to speak during a meeting of the Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Caucus. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Champino's Italian Restaurant, 6617 North Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

ELECTIONS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Elections Commission is scheduled to conclude a two-day meeting. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT, PUTNAM, LAWMAKERS AT CHAMBER MILITARY SUMMIT: The Florida Chamber Foundation will hold the Military, Defense & Veterans Opportunities Summit. Speakers are expected to include Gov. Rick Scott; Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.; state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg; state Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast; state Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness; Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor and Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Executive Director Glenn Sutphin. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, 950 Lake Carillon Dr., St. Petersburg.)

PAROLE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Commission on Offender Review is slated to discuss numerous parole cases related to crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

PSC APPLICANTS INTERVIEWED: The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council is expected to interview eight applicants for a spot on the state Public Service Commission. The council will nominate finalists to Gov. Rick Scott, who will appoint a successor to outgoing PSC member Lisa Edgar. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

CHILD ABUSE DEATHS DISCUSSED: The Florida Child Abuse Death Review Committee, which looks for ways to reduce preventable child-abuse deaths, is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525 Code: 702-170-0355)

BUESING RAISES MONEY IN TAMPA: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Democrat Bob Buesing, who is running in state Senate District 18. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., 824 South Orleans Ave., Tampa.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016

BONGINO SPEAKS TO BUSINESS GROUP: Republican Dan Bongino, who is running in Southwest Florida's Congressional District 19, is scheduled to speak to the Businesspeople United for Political Action Committee, or BUPAC. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Building AA, Fort Myers.)

CITIZENS RATES ON THE TABLE: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a public hearing on proposals that would raise rates for many customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The Citizens Board of Governors approved the proposed increases in June, pointing to what the insurer describes as a "crisis" in costly water claims. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS, TRANSPORTATION CHIEF AT AIF SYMPOSIUM: Associated Industries of Florida will host the "Building Florida's Future" symposium, which will focus on transportation, infrastructure and economic-development issues. Speakers are expected to include incoming Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 3, 815 Channelside Dr., Tampa.)

SD 19 CANDIDATES AT TIGER BAY: Candidates in Senate District 19 in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are expected to take part in the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. Running for the seat are Democrats Ed Narain, Betty Reed, Darryl Rouson and Augie Ribeiro and Republican John Houman. (Thursday, noon, Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa St., Tampa.)

BEAN HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for state Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will hold "mobile" office hours. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Neptune Beach Water Utilities Building, 116 First St., Neptune Beach.)

JAMES RAISES MONEY FOR HOUSE BID: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Democrat Edward James III, who is running in Sarasota County's House District 72. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Legacy Country Club, 8255 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.)

RUBIO ON THE MENU AT 'LOBSTERFEST': U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is slated to be the keynote speaker at the Republican Party of Palm Beach County's annual "Lobsterfest." (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Broken Sound Country Club., 2401 Willow Springs Dr., Boca Raton.)

RAULERSON SPEAKS TO GOP WOMEN: State Rep. Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City, is expected to speak to the Plant City Republican Women Federated. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill, 106 East State Road 60, Plant City.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

OPTOMETRY ISSUES EYED: The Florida Board of Optometry will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.)

DOZIER SCHOOL AT ISSUE: The Dozier Task Force, which was created this year by the Legislature, will meet to discuss recommendations related to site of the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. The shuttered school has been at the center of allegations about abuse and deaths of youths. (Friday, 9 a.m. Central time, Jackson County Agricultural Center, 3631 Highway 90, Marianna.)

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release July unemployment numbers. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES AT TIGER BAY: Candidates in Northeast Florida's Congressional District 4 are expected to appear at a First Coast Tiger Bay Club luncheon. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., University Club, 1301 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State political candidates and committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 12.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016

BEAN TAKES PART IN FARM SHARE: State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, will take part in a Farm Share event to distribute free food to needy people. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, 2636 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville.)

RING, GIBSON AT NASSAU DEMOCRATS EVENT: State Sen. Jeremy Ring, a Margate Democrat who could run for governor in 2018, and state Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, are expected to be among the participants at the Nassau County Democratic Party's annual "low country boil." (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2800 Bill Melton Road, Fernandina Beach.)