The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – January 4, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, DECEMBER 31, 2015…. State regulators Tuesday will take up a proposal by Florida Power & Light to build a nearly $1.2 billion power plant in Okeechobee County. The Florida Public Service Commission will decide whether to approve what is known as a "determination of need" for the project, which has drawn criticism from environmentalists and the state Office of Public Counsel. Also during the coming week, the State Board of Education will meet in Tallahassee, and Death Row inmate Oscar Bolin is scheduled to be executed for a 1986 murder in Pasco County.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

RURAL COUNTIES AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss what are known as "fiscally constrained" counties, which are largely rural counties in North Florida and South Central Florida. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION MONEY DISCUSSED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will delve into the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program, which helps pay for school construction projects. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HIGHWAY SAFETY MONEY ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze highway-safety revenues. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

UTILITY REGULATORS CONSIDER FPL PROJECT: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues, including whether to approve a "determination of need" for a new Florida Power & Light plant in Okeechobee County. Such approvals are important regulatory steps for utility projects, but the FPL plan has drawn opposition from environmentalists and the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

ETHICS REFORMS AT ISSUE: The group Integrity Florida will hold a news conference to discuss a report about ethics reforms in the state. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahassee.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference will hold what is known as an "impact" conference. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PUBLIC SCHOOL NUMBERS ANALYZED: The Education Estimating Conference will look at enrollment numbers in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

STATE BOARD OF ED MEETS: The State Board of Education is expected to discuss a series of issues, including "cut" scores for the Florida Standards Assessments. Among the other issues will be reports related to performance funding for Pasco-Hernando State College, Pensacola State College, College of Central Florida, Northwest Florida State College and Daytona State College. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases involving crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

SCHOOL FUNDS AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up outlooks for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund and the State School Trust Fund. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

FITZENHAGEN HOLDS TOWN HALL: State Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, will hold a town-hall meeting to discuss the upcoming legislative session. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Fitzenhagen district office, 2120 Main St., Suite 208, Fort Myers.)

UCF TRUSTEES HOLD CONFERENCE CALL: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will hold a teleconference to discuss labor issues and a planned downtown Orlando campus. (Thursday, 8:10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Code: 463796.)

GAMBLING ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Gaming Congress will be held in Orlando, with discussion about a wide range of issues affecting the state's gambling industry. Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, is expected to be among the speakers. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

TRANSPORTATION MONEY ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss transportation revenues. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

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

MEDICAID MONEY ON THE TABLE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze issues such as Medicaid expenditures. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

EXECUTION SCHEDULED IN PASCO MURDER: Death Row inmate Oscar Bolin is scheduled to be executed for the December 1986 murder of Terri Lynn Matthews, whose body was discovered by the side of a road in rural Pasco County. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Florida State Prison, near Starke.)

LAWMAKERS AT ELECTION KICKOFF EVENT: Several state lawmakers and legislative candidates are expected to take part in an election-year kickoff event hosted by the Sarasota Republican Club and the Republican Party of Sarasota County. Attendees are expected to include Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice; Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton; Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota; Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota; Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice; Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton; Senate candidates Doug Holder and Nora Patterson; and House candidate Joe Gruters. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

LAWMAKERS SPEAK TO GOP WOMEN: State Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater, are expected to speak to the Belleair Women's Republican Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Belleair Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Belleair.)

EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE DISCUSSED: The Self-Insurance Estimating Conference will discuss the state employees' health insurance program. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)