Just three days after being sworn into office, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, accusing him of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related to the February 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“Suffice it to say that the massacre might never have happened had Broward had better leadership in the sheriff’s department,” DeSantis said as he announced the suspension Jan. 11. “The Parkland families, the people of Broward and the broader community want accountability. But I think just as important, or more important, they want the problems fixed going forward,”
Israel fought back against DeSantis, saying he committed “no wrongdoing” and blasting the Republican governor for “merely fulfilling a campaign promise” by removing him from office.
“This was about politics, not about Parkland,” Israel, a Democrat, said.
Now, the battle over Israel’s future is ready to play out in a Florida Senate committee room in Tallahassee.
Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette is scheduled Tuesday to start what could be a multi-day hearing in an appeal filed by Israel. The Senate has the authority to reinstate or remove elected officials, and Goodlette, appointed by Senate President Bill Galvano, will ultimately make a recommendation about how lawmakers should resolve Israel’s appeal.
In the lead-up to the hearing, Benedict Kuehne, an attorney for Israel, has contended that the suspended sheriff has been made a scapegoat for the mass shooting in which 17 students and faculty members died.
“We disagree with anecdotal views of how Sheriff Israel is perceived,” Kuehne said in February. “Sheriff Israel has committed himself always to the betterment of the community and continues to share the view that he has much to give to the community.”
But DeSantis and his administration have defended the decision to remove the sheriff, pointing to the Parkland shooting and a mass shooting in 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
“Sheriff Israel’s neglect of duty and incompetence was evident after the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting in 2017,” Helen Ferre, a spokeswoman for the governor, said in March. “It is lamentable that Scott Israel refuses to be held accountable for his actions and continues to hold disregard for the law.”
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2019
SCOTT HOLDS HURRICANE CONFERENCE: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., will hold a hurricane-preparedness conference in Orlando that will include several federal agencies. (Monday, 9 a.m. Additional details had not been released Friday. Reporters may contact press@rickscott.senate.gov)
EASTERN FLORIDA TRUSTEES MEET: The Eastern Florida State College Board of Trustees will meet and take up issues such as 2019-2020 budget. (Monday, 9 a.m., Eastern Florida State College, Melbourne Campus, Public Safety Institute, 3865 North Wickham Road, Melbourne.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Broward and Citrus counties. (Monday, 10 a.m., Southwest Focal Point Senior Center, 301 N.W. 103rd Ave., Pembroke Pines. Also, 1 p.m., Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 North Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River.)
PAIN TREATMENT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Health will hold a conference call to discuss a pamphlet about nonopioid alternatives for treating pain. (Monday, noon. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 432162565.)
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT EYED: The Education Estimating Conference will hold what is known as an “impact” conference about enrollment in the pre-K-12 system. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
ST. JOHNS RIVER COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees will meet after holding a budget workshop. (Monday, workshop at 2 p.m. and board meeting at 3 p.m., St. Johns River State College, Palatka Campus, Administration Building, 5001 St. Johns Ave., Palatka.)
TCC TRUSTEES MEET: The Tallahassee Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Tallahassee Community College, Hinson Administration Building, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee.)
RECREATION ON THE AGENDA: The South Florida Water Management District will hold a forum about recreational issues within the district. (Monday, 5 p.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)
EROSION CONTROL AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting in Indian River County about a state proposal to create an erosion control line. (Monday, 6 p.m., Indian River Administration Complex, 1801 27th St., Building B, Vero Beach.)
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019
HOUSE SPECIAL ELECTIONS HELD: Voters will go to the polls in special elections in House District 7 and House District 38. Port St. Joe Republican Jason Shoaf and Tallahassee Democrat Ryan Terrell are running in North Florida’s District 7, which opened when former Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, was appointed secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The district is made up of Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla and part of Leon counties. Dade City Republican Randy Maggard and Wesley Chapel Democrat Kelly Smith are running in Pasco County’s District 38, which former Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, left to become executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
UNF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of North Florida Board of Trustees will meet, after holding a workshop and a series of committee meetings. The board is expected to approve a 2019-2020 budget. (Tuesday, workshop starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by committee meetings and full board at 2:15 p.m., University of North Florida, Adam W. Herbert University Center, Jacksonville.)
BROWARD SHERIFF CASE HEARD: Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will hold a final hearing in an appeal by suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. Gov. Ron DeSantis ousted Israel, accusing the sheriff of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related to the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. 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 could last three days. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
DRUG IMPORTATION ON AGENDA: The Florida Board of Pharmacy will meet and discuss issues such as a new law (HB 19) that seeks to allow importing lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the bill into law, made the importation issue a priority during this year’s legislative session. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)
CHAMBER HOLDS WORKFORCE SUMMIT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will begin a two-day “Learners to Earners Workforce Summit,” with speakers expected to include Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Rep. Vance Aloupis, R-Miami, and Rep. Mel Ponder, R-Destin. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando.)
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. North, Clearwater.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Also, 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 2 p.m., Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota.)
INSURANCE PANELS MEET: The Audit Committee, Finance and Investment Committee and Actuarial and Underwriting Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will meet. (Tuesday, meeting start at 1 p.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland. Call-in number: 1-888-942-8686. Code: 9447106691.)
STATE INVESTMENTS DISCUSSED: The state Investment Advisory Council will meet. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hermitage Centre, 1801 Hermitage Blvd., Tallahassee.)
SANTA FE COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees will hold a workshop and a regular board meeting. (Tuesday, workshop at 2 p.m., board meeting at 4 p.m., Santa Fe College Northwest Campus, 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville.)
NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Niceville Campus, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)
PENSACOLA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Pensacola State College Board of Trustees will meet after holding a workshop and committee meetings. (Tuesday, workshop at 4:30 p.m., committees at 5 p.m., full board at 5:30 p.m., Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola.)
TOLL ROAD DESIGN ON TABLE: The Florida Department of Transportation and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise will hold a meeting on the design for Central Polk Parkway, a new toll road from Polk Parkway at Winter Lake Road to U.S. 17 in Polk County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., W.H. Stuart Center, 1710 U.S. 17 South, Bartow.)
NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The North Florida Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Florida Community College, 325 N.W. Turner Davis Dr., Madison.)
EROSION CONTROL AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting in Brevard County about a state proposal to create an erosion control line. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 1495 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach.)
PASCO-HERNANDO COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Pasco-Hernando State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pasco-Hernando State College, North Campus library, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville.)
CHIPOLA TRUSTEES MEET: The Chipola College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Chipola College, Public Service Building, Marianna.)
TRUMP LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION BID: President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Orlando to formally launch his 2020 re-election campaign. While he will make the announcement in Orlando, Trump has already been holding campaign-style events across the country, including a May 8 rally in Panama City Beach. Trump won Florida during the 2016 election, capturing 49 percent of the vote, while Democrat Hillary Clinton received 47.8 percent. Along with wins in key Midwest states, the Florida victory helped send Trump to the White House. (Tuesday, 8 p.m., Amway Center, 400 West Church St., Orlando.)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019
FIU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida International University Board of Trustees will meet after holding a series of committee meetings. Topics are expected to include changes in student fees. (Wednesday, committees start at 8 a.m., with full board at 2 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Graham Center, Miami.)
CHAMBER HOLDS WORKFORCE SUMMIT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will conclude a two-day “Learners to Earners Workforce Summit,” with speakers expected to include Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson and CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando.)
CITIZENS INSURANCE BOARD MEETS: The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will meet in Central Florida. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Sheraton Orlando North, 600 North Lake Destiny Dr., Maitland. Call-in number: 1-888-942-8686. Code: 9447106691.)
CITRUS ISSUES ON TABLE: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet in Polk County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)
PHARMACY ISSUES CONSIDERED; The Florida Board of Pharmacy will meet in Orange County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)
OFFENDER REVIEW COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider cases from across the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)
REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE HUDDLES: The state Revenue Estimating Conference will hold what is known as a post-session “impact” conference. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
MASSAGE THERAPY BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Massage Therapy will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 508909666.)
UWF TRUSTEES GATHER: The University of West Florida Board of Trustees will meet and take up issues such as 2019-2020 operating budget. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UWF Conference Center, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola.)
UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 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 Sumter and Hernando counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Savannah Recreation Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Also, 2 p.m., Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill.)
LAKE-SUMTER TRUSTEES MEET: The Lake-Sumter College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Lake-Sumter State College, Leesburg Campus, Student Services Building, 9501 U.S. 441, Leesburg.)
GOOD HOLDS TOWN HALL: State Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota, will hold a town-hall meeting. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Historic Spanish Point Visitors Center, 337 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey.)
I-95 CAPACITY AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a workshop on a study to identify capacity improvements along Interstate 95, from U.S. 1 to north of Ives Dairy Road in Miami-Dade County. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library, 2930 N.E. 199th St. /Aventura Blvd., Aventura.)
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019
HEMP PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will hold a workshop in Broward County as it prepares to carry out a new law that would lead to the agency administering a hemp program. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Broward College, South Campus, Performing Cultural Arts Theater, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Bradford, Orange, Miami-Dade and Baker counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Bradford County Senior Center, 1805 North Temple Ave., Starke. Also, 10 a.m., Bithlo Neighborhood Center for Families, 18510 Madison Ave., Orlando. Also, noon, West Flagler Library, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami. Also, 12:30 p.m., Baker County Commission conference room, 55 North Third St., Macclenny.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
TRIUMPH GULF COAST GATHERS: The Triumph Golf Coast Board of Directors, which administers money from a settlement with BP after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, will discuss issues such as a recommended change in compensation for the organization’s executive director. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Wakulla County School Board chamber, 69 Arran Road, Crawfordville.)
MEDICAID DRUG PANEL MEETS: The Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board will meet in Hillsborough County. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport, 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)
EXPRESS LANES EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house about projects that include extending Interstate 95 express lanes from south of Hollywood Boulevard to south of Broward Boulevard in Broward County. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Stirling Road Library auditorium, 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood.)
RIGHTS RESTORATION AT ISSUE: The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which led efforts to pass a November constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to felons, will hold an event that will include discussion about the implementation of the amendment. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Circle of Brotherhood, 5120 N.W. 24th Ave., Miami.)
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019
HOUSING ISSUES CONSIDERED: The Florida Housing Finance Corp. Board of Directors will meet in Duval County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)
PREFERRED DRUG LIST ON TABLE: The Medicaid Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics Committee will discuss a preferred drug list for the Medicaid program. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport, 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.)
HEMP PROGRAM DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will hold a workshop in Hillsborough County as it prepares to carry out a new law that would lead to the agency administering a hemp program. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida State Fairgrounds, Florida Center, 4800 U.S 301 North, Tampa.)
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release May unemployment numbers. (Friday, 10 a.m.)
FRIED SPEAKS AT TAMPA TIGER BAY: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is slated to speak to the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. (Friday, noon, Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa St., Tampa.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Hamilton County. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Hamilton County board room, 207 N.E. First St., Room 112, Jasper.)
