Senate President Bill Galvano’s vision of new and expanded toll roads in the western side of the state will get an introduction Tuesday when task forces looking at the three proposed routes take part in a “kickoff” event.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s “Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance,” or M-CORES, task forces will ultimately make recommendations about the toll-road proposals, which were a top priority of Galvano, R-Bradenton, during this year’s legislative session.
A Galvano-spearheaded law (SB 7068) seeks to expand the Suncoast Parkway from the Tampa Bay area to the Georgia border; extend the Florida Turnpike west to connect with the Suncoast Parkway; and add a new multi-use corridor, including a toll road, from Polk County to Collier County.
More than 100 local officials, environmentalists, representatives of agricultural interests, transportation planners, members of business groups and educators have been named to the task forces.
Tuesday’s day-long kickoff event at the Tampa Convention Center will begin at 8 a.m.
But the task-force process is expected to be contentious, as environmentalists argue that the projects would cause harm to undeveloped areas and lead to sprawl. Galvano and other supporters, however, say the projects will spur economic development in rural areas, help relieve traffic congestion and provide more options for hurricane evacuations.
The liberal group Progress Florida announced it will continue to fight “these costly and disastrous roads to ruin.”
“Make no mistake: we’re not interested in just making this horrible proposal less disastrous or getting a ‘better’ route for these unneeded and destructive toll roads,” Mark Ferrulo of Progress Florida said in a release. “Our aim is to stop this new toll road debacle in its tracks.”
The kickoff event will mostly involve going over the study areas and rules for the task forces. Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault is expected to outline the role of the task force members at 9 a.m. Public comments are set for 4:45 p.m. Also, the event will include “comment stations.”
“There will be four comment stations out in the hallway of the Tampa Convention Center where attendees can write down comments, type it into a laptop, or tell it to a court reporter,” department spokesman Tom Yu said. “The comment stations will be open all day.”
A final report is supposed to be ready by Oct. 1, 2020.
Lawmakers designated $45 million toward the work in the current year, with annual funding expected to grow to $140 million.
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019
ST. JOHNS RIVER FORUM HELD: State Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, will host a St. Johns River Forum to discuss the importance of the St. Johns River and other Northeast Florida waterways. Numerous other state officials are expected to take part, including Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein; Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula; Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island; Rep. Thad Altman, R-Indialantic; Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry; Rep. Travis Cummings, R-Fleming Island; Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand; Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay; Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill; Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala; and Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City. (Monday, 10 a.m., St. Johns River Center, 102 North First St., Palatka.)
ERA RATIFICATION SOUGHT: The Florida National Organization for Women and Tallahassee NOW will hold a news conference to mark Women’s Equality Day and to urge Florida lawmakers to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. (Monday, 11 a.m., outside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, first floor, the Capitol.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Calhoun County. (Monday, 1:30 p.m. Central time, Calhoun County Public Library, 17731 N.E. Pear St., Blountstown.)
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.)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019
TOLL ROAD PROJECTS DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a kickoff event for the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance, or M-CORES, program, as the state moves forward with a new law designed to lead to three major toll-road projects. The projects would expand the Suncoast Parkway from the Tampa Bay area to the Georgia border; extend the Florida Turnpike west to connect to the Suncoast Parkway; and create a new multi-use corridor, including a toll road, from Polk County to Collier County. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin St., Tampa.)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON AGENDA: Carolyn Johnson, the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s director of business, economic development and innovation policy, is slated to speak during a Florida Economic Development Council board meeting. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.)
JUSTICES WEIGH DUVAL DEATH CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments on three issues, including two death-penalty cases from Duval County. Justices will take up an appeal by Raymond Bright, who was sentenced to death in the 2008 murders of Derrick King and Randall Brown, and an appeal by David Kelsey Sparre, who was sentenced to death in the 2010 murder of Tiara Pool. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
BROWARD DELEGATION HOLDS WORKSHOP: The Broward County legislative delegation will hold a local-bill workshop. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Lee and Orange counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library, 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral. Also, 11 a.m., Meadow Woods Recreation Center, 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando.)
VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections will hold a rule-development workshop about minimum security procedures for voting systems. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 659459077.)
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA COMMITTEES MEET: Committees of Enterprise Florida, the state’s business-recruitment arm, will meet in advance of a board of directors meeting on Wednesday. (Tuesday, committee meetings start at 11 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.)
CYBERSECURITY DISCUSSED: Manuel Medina, managing partner at Medina Capital and CEO of Cyxtera Technologies, will discuss cybersecurity during a meeting of the Economic Club of Florida. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m., FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)
PORT SECURITY AT ISSUE: Florida seaport officials will open three days of meetings with a luncheon that is slated to include U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., and seaport security directors. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)
DUNN SPEAKS TO BUSINESS GROUP: U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., will speak to the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates in Leon County. (Tuesday, noon, Capital City Country Club, 1601 Golf Terrace Dr., Tallahassee.)
REFUGEE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force will meet. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Department of Children and Families, 9393 North Florida Ave., Tampa.)
BOTANA HOLDS CAMPAIGN KICKOFF: Republican Adam Botana, who is running in Lee County’s House District 76, is scheduled to hold a campaign kickoff event. The District 76 seat will be open next year because Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, faces term limits and is running for the Senate. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille, 5370 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs.)
RODRIGUES SPEAKS TO GOP CLUB: State Rep. Ray Rodrigues, an Estero Republican running for an open Senate seat in 2020, is slated to speak to the Cape Coral Republican Club. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Personal Touch Catering, 1530 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019
UNIVERSITY ISSUES ON TABLE: Committees of the state university system’s Board of Governors will hold a series of meetings before a full board meeting Thursday. Among the issues will be a discussion at the Audit and Compliance Committee about an investigation into the improper use of funds by the University of Central Florida for building projects. (Wednesday, meetings start at 8:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.)
INTERVIEWS SET FOR NEW JUDGE: The Seventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will interview candidates for a new Flagler County judgeship. The Legislature this year approved a bill that created the county-judge position. The candidates are Alexander Alvarez, Craig Atack, John Cary, Lynette Callender, Joshua Davis, Steven DeLaroche, Christopher DelBene, Wesley Flagler, Monique Hawkins, Alan Holt, William Hyland, Mark Johnson, James Manfre, G. Kipling Miller, James Nealis, Mitchel Novas, Regina Nunnally, Milan Samargya, Sebrina Slack, Scott Spradley, Judy Stewart, Andrea Totten, Alicia Washington and Joseph Ryan Will. (Wednesday, interviews start at 8:45 a.m., Flagler County Courthouse jury assembly room, 1769 East Moody Blvd., Bunnell.)
ENTEPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, chaired by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will meet in Duval County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.)
BROWARD JUDGE REPRIMANDED: The Florida Supreme Court will publicly reprimand a Broward County circuit judge for violating a ban on partisan political activity during his 2018 election campaign. The Supreme Court in April unanimously ruled that Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra should face a reprimand after an investigation by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission. The investigation involved two incidents, including Kollra telling the South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board that he was a registered Republican. Also, while speaking to the Hills Democratic Club during the campaign, Kollra said he had been endorsed by another group, the Dolphin Democrats. Judicial candidates, who run in non-partisan races, are barred from discussing issues such as political affiliation. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
PORTS AT ISSUE: Florida seaport officials will hold the second of three days of meetings in Duval County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)
COURT CONSIDERS UTILITY MEASURE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments about the proposed ballot wording of a controversial constitutional amendment that would overhaul and deregulate the state’s electric-utility industry. The proposal, backed by a political committee known as Citizens for Energy Choices, calls for creating “competitive” electricity markets in which customers would have the right to choose electricity providers or to produce their own power. Supporters, including companies that want to supply electricity in Florida, point to a similar structure that Texas has used for nearly two decades. But the proposal has drawn opposition from Florida state leaders, business groups and utilities, which argue it should not go before voters in November 2020 because it violates legal standards for citizens’ initiatives, such as tying together multiple subjects in a proposed constitutional amendment. The Supreme Court must sign off on initiatives’ wording before they can go on the ballot. (Wednesday, 9;10 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
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.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Collier and Sumter counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Immokalee Public Library, 417 North First St., Immokalee. Also, 10 a.m., Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, The Villages.)
JUSTICES WEIGH LIABILITY LIMITS: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in a dispute about how much money a state agency can be required to pay because of allegations of negligence. The case is rooted in allegations against the Florida Department of Children and Families after Palm Beach County resident Patrick Dell in 2010 fatally shot four of his stepchildren and injured one. Dell also killed his wife, Natasha, and fatally shot himself. The fathers of the children filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging negligence by the Department of Children and Families, which had investigated an incident in 2009 in which Patrick Dell was alleged to have threatened his wife with a knife and made threats to the entire family. The Supreme Court will consider the department’s potential liability under the state’s sovereign-immunity laws, which are designed to shield government agencies from large judgments. The sovereign-immunity law that applies to the Dell shootings limited to $200,000 the amount of liability for all claims or judgments “arising out of the same incident or occurrence.” But the legal dispute centers on whether that $200,000 limit should apply as an overall total to the claims against DCF or whether each claim should be capped at $200,000. A Palm Beach County circuit judge ruled that each claim would be eligible for as much as $200,000, but the 4th District Court of Appeal overturned that decision, saying the $200,000 cap “applies to limit recovery for all claims.” (Wednesday, 10:10 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
PARKLAND LIABILITY DISPUTE HEARD: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in a dispute about how much the Broward County School Board could be forced to pay to parents and victims in last year’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The issue centers on the state’s sovereign-immunity laws, which limit how much government agencies can be forced to pay in lawsuits, and how the liability limits should apply when multiple people are killed or injured in incidents. The Broward County School Board has argued that the sovereign-immunity law caps at $300,000 its potential liability to the parents and victims in the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at the Parkland high school. The dispute involves whether that $300,000 limit should be an overall total because the mass shooting was a single incident --- or whether each plaintiff filing a claim against the school board should be able to receive $200,000 because the shots were separate occurrences. A Broward County circuit judge in December ruled in favor of the School Board, prompting attorneys for Parkland parents and victims to appeal. The 4th District Court of Appeal in March said the case should go straight to the Supreme Court, a move known as certifying the appeal. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
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. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., George Wickline Senior Center, 800 South Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach.)
MORGAN SPEAKS AT TIGER BAY: Prominent Orlando attorney John Morgan, who led a 2016 ballot drive to legalize medical marijuana and is spearheading a 2020 drive to raise the state’s minimum wage, will speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)
GAETZ SPEAKS IN VOLUSIA: U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is slated to speak to the Republican Club of Daytona Beach. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Palmetto Club, 1000 South Beach St., Daytona Beach.)
FINE, BREVARD OFFICIALS HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE: State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Brevard County Commissioner Bryan Lober will hold a news conference to discuss a criminal investigation into political activities in the county. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Government Center, Viera.)
CENTRAL FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The College of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., College of Central Florida, Ocala Campus, Founders Hall, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.)
GOOD CAMPAIGNS IN SARASOTA: State Rep. Margaret Good, a Sarasota Democrat who is running next year in Congressional District 16, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sarasota County Democratic Party headquarters, 7358 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD MEETS: The state university system’s Board of Governors will meet after holding two committee meetings. Among the numerous issues will be approval of 2020-2021 legislative budget requests for the university system and confirmation of the reappointment of Mark Rosenberg as president of Florida International University and the reappointment of Martha Saunders as president of the University of West Florida. (Thursday, committees start at 8:30 a.m., with full board at 1 p.m. or upon completion of earlier meetings, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.)
1ST DCA CANDIDATES INTERVIEWED: The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission will begin interviewing candidates for two seats on the Tallahassee-based appeals court, which hears cases from across North Florida. The openings were created when former 1st District Court of Appeal judges Allen Winsor and T. Kent Wetherell were confirmed to federal judgeships. Candidates scheduled to be interviewed Thursday are Victoria Avalon, Laura Boeckman, Kevin Carson, James “Scott” Duncan, Craig Feiser, Gilbert Feltel, Jennifer Frydrychowicz, Brian Gowdy, Donna Keim, George Levesque, Robert Long, Andrew Manko, Ana Cristina Martinez, Autumn Miller, Rachel Nordby and Trisha Meggs Pate. (Thursday, interviews start at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)
DEATH PENALTY CASES HEARD: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in death-penalty cases from Broward and Pinellas counties. Justices will take up an appeal by Darious Wilcox, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2008 death of Nimoy Johnson in Broward County, and an appeal by Genghis Nicholas Kocaker, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2004 death of Eric Stanton in Pinellas County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
CIRCUIT JUDGE CANDIDATES INTERVIEWED: The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will interview candidates for a new circuit judge position created this year by the Legislature. The 12th Circuit is made up of DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. The candidates are Shannon Hankin, Marc Gilman, Paul F. Grondahl, Andrea Johnson, Adria M. Jensen, Stephanie L. Murphy, Paul Olah and Matt Whyte. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.)
PORTS COUNCIL MEETS: Seaport officials will conclude three days of meetings with a Florida Ports Council board meeting. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Wakulla counties. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, 1 North Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. Also, 2 p.m. Old Town Hall, 1002 Cherry Hills Dr., Sun City Center. Also, 3 p.m., Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville.)
STEVENSON HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R-Saint Johns, is slated to hold “mobile” office hours. (Thursday, 10 a.m., St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to resume issuing regular weekly opinions after a summer recess. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
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. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Edgar Johnson Senior Center, 1215 Westover Dr., Palatka.)
FORUM FOCUSES ON WATER ISSUES: The Associated Industries of Florida’s annual Florida Water Forum will start, with panel discussions on issues such as water utility challenges, water infrastructure funding and septic tanks. Panel moderators will include state Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala; Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover; and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, 6601 Adventure Way, Orlando.)
OKALOOSA DELEGATION HOLDS HEARING: The Okaloosa County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing as it prepares for the 2020 legislative session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze; Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City; Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace; and Rep. Mel Ponder, R-Destin. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Central time, Okaloosa County Commission chamber, 1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.)
GIALLOMBARDO RAISES MONEY FOR HOUSE RACE: A fundraising reception is scheduled for Republican Mike Giallombardo, who is running in Lee County’s House District 77. The seat will be open next year because House Majority Leader Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, faces term limits. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Riverside Avenue Villas, 13681 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019
FLORIDA WATER FORUM: The Associated Industries of Florida’s annual Florida Water Forum will conclude with discussions of issues such as a preview of the 2020 legislative session. Participants in panel discussions are expected to include state Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry; Rep. Rick Roth, R-West Palm Beach; Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples; Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs; Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo; and Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, 6601 Adventure Way, Orlando.)
1ST DCA CANDIDATES INTERVIEWED: The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission will continue interviewing candidates for two seats on the Tallahassee-based appeals court, which hears cases from across North Florida. The openings were created when former 1st District Court of Appeal judges Allen Winsor and T. Kent Wetherell were confirmed to federal judgeships. Candidates scheduled to be interviewed Friday are Gary Perko, Jennifer Richardson, Eric Roberson, Colin Roopnarine, Fred Rudzik, Cristine Russell, Adam Tanenbaum, Kristine Van Vorst, Griffin Winthrop III and George Wright. (Friday, interviews start at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)
ALGAE TASK FORCE MEETS: The state Blue Green Algae Task Force, created after massive water-quality problems last year in parts of Florida, will meet in Alachua County. (Friday, 9 a.m., University of Florida, Levin College of Law, 309 Village Dr., Gainesville.)
FHP LIABILITY AT ISSUE IN BRUSH FIRE DEATH: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, including a dispute about whether the Florida Highway Patrol can be held liable in the 2012 death of a woman in a crash on Interstate 75. Vontavia Robinson was killed shortly after the highway patrol reopened the interstate, which had been closed because of a brush fire in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Robinson’s estate filed a lawsuit against the highway patrol, alleging negligence in reopening the interstate. The highway patrol asked a circuit judge to dismiss the case and contended it was protected by sovereign immunity. But the circuit judge and the 1st District Court of Appeal refused to dismiss the case. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
INITIATIVE PETITIONS AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections will hold a rulemaking workshop related to changes made by the Legislature to the petition-gathering process for proposed constitutional amendments. (Friday, 9 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 659459077.)
