In little more than four months, Florida lawmakers will start the whirlwind of the 2020 legislative session.
But, according to the old cliché, all politics is local. And that means lawmakers during the next several weeks will spend numerous hours in county delegation meetings listening to local officials and constituents discuss priorities of their communities.
A few county delegations have already met as they prepare for the Jan. 14 start of the session. But the pace will pick up during the coming week, with delegation meetings scheduled each day across the state.
Also during the coming week, a joint House and Senate panel will meet to consider a report that details the state’s finances and budget picture.
The report, known as the Long-Range Financial Outlook, is compiled each year by state economists. And as the name might indicate, it’s pretty wonky stuff.
But it also offers a picture of how much flexibility lawmakers will have when they negotiate a budget next year. And that’s important not only in Tallahassee but also to people making pitches for their communities’ priorities at local delegation meetings.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
SARASOTA COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Sarasota County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2020 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota; Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton; Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota; Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota; and Rep. James Buchanan, R-Osprey. (Monday, 9 a.m., Sarasota County Commission chamber, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.)
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2020 session. The 13-member delegation is chaired by Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, with Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg, serving as vice-chairman. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview.)
MISSING CHILDREN REMEMBERED: The annual Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony will be held at the Capitol. (Monday, 10 a.m., Capitol courtyard, Tallahassee.)
TAMPA BAY PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council will meet in Pinellas County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd., Suite 100, Pinellas Park.)
FSU RANKINGS DISCUSSSED: Florida State University leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis will appear at a news conference to discuss FSU’s rankings by U.S. News & World Report. FSU President John Thrasher and state university system Chancellor Marshall Criser are expected to take part in the event. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Florida State University, Dodd Hall, Heritage Museum, 641 University Way, Tallahassee.)
PSC TOUTS LIFELINE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold an event in Putnam County to discuss the Lifeline program, which provides discounted telephone service to low-income residents. (Monday, noon, Edgar Johnson Senior Center, 1215 Westover Dr., Palatka.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard County. (Monday, noon, Sunflower House Senior Center, 777 East Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island.)
MIAMI-DADE DELEGATION, COMMISSIONERS MEET: The Miami-Dade County legislative delegation is scheduled to hold a joint meeting with the Miami-Dade County Commission to discuss the 2020 session. (Monday, 1 p.m., Port Miami Terminal J, 1120 Caribbean Way, Miami.)
DEPORTATIONS CRITICIZED: State Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, will take part in a news conference to criticize the Trump administration about deporting people to Cuba. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.)
CANNABIS ISSUES ON TABLE: U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., will help host a panel discussion about the impacts on veterans of cannabis prohibitions. (Monday, 4 p.m., Longworth House Office Building, Room 1539, 15 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
CITRUS ISSUES ON MENU: The Florida Department of Citrus will hold a marketing and budget workshop. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in St. Lucie, Hernando and Indian River counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Port St. Lucie City Hall, 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Also, 10 a.m., East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windemere Road, Brooksville. Also, noon, Northern Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian.)
USF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will meet and take up issues such as a revised legislative budget request. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Tampa.)
REFUGEE ISSUES ON AGENDA: The Tallahassee Area Refugee Task Force will meet. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 1317 Winewood Blvd., Building 3, Tallahassee.)
PSC TOUTS LIFELINE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold an event in Clay County to discuss the Lifeline program, which provides discounted telephone service to low-income residents. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Clay County Senior Services of Aging True, 604 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs.)
LAWMAKERS DISCUSS STATE FUNDING: Democratic lawmakers are scheduled to hold a workshop for non-profit groups and the community about how to apply for state funding through the legislative appropriations process. Participants are expected to include Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens; Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach; Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens; Rep. James Bush, D-Miami; Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura; Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami; Rep. Cindy Polo, D-Miramar; and Rep. Sharon Pritchett, D-Miami Gardens. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Miami Dade College, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., Miami.)
JACKSONVILLE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida State College at Jacksonville Board of Trustees will meet after holding a Finance and Audit Committee meeting and a workshop. (Tuesday, committee at 10:45 a.m., workshop at noon, board meeting at 1 p.m., Florida State College at Jacksonville, Administrative Offices, 501 West State St., Jacksonville.)
CITIZENS RATES AT ISSUE: The Actuarial and Underwriting Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a conference call and discuss issues such as a recently approved rate filing. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. Code: 8632017402.)
MARION COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Marion County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2020 legislative session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville; Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala; Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island; Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala; Rep. Charlie Stone, R-Ocala; Rep. Brett Hage, R-Oxford; and Rep. Clovis Watson, D-Alachua. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., College of Central Florida, Klein Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.)
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors will meet. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Florida Development Finance Corp., 156 Tuskawilla Road, Suite 2340, Winter Springs. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292. Code: 1119564826.)
FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC TRUSTEES HUDDLE: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will hold a workshop. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Florida Polytechnic University, Student Development Center, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland. Call-in number: 1-415-655-0001. Code: 648625684)
ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD WEIGHS BUDGET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will hold a regular meeting, followed by a public hearing on a proposed 2019-2020 millage rate and budget. (Tuesday, meeting at 3 p.m., hearing at 5:05 p.m., district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)
SUWANNEE WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will hold a regular meeting, followed by a public hearing on a proposed 2019-2020 millage rate and budget. (Tuesday, meeting at 3 p.m., hearing at 5:05 p.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)
FLORIDA GATEWAY TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Gateway College Board of Trustees will meet in Columbia County. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Florida Gateway College, Administration Building, Lake City.)
SOUTHWEST WATER BOARD EYES BUDGET: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold a public hearing about a proposed 2019-2020 millage rate and budget. (Tuesday, 5:01 p.m., district Tampa office, 7601 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State political candidates and committees face a Tuesday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 31.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
PAROLE CASES AT ISSUE: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)
FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will meet after holding a series of committee meetings. (Wednesday, committee meetings start at 9:15 a.m., with full board at 2 p.m., Florida Polytechnic University, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)
VALENCIA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Valencia College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Valencia College, West Campus, Room 8-111, 1800 South Kirkman Road, Orlando.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Sumter and Sarasota counties. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Savannah Recreation Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Also, 10 a.m., Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota.)
WORKERS’ COMP AT ISSUE: The Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association will hold a meeting in Hillsborough County. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa.)
POLSKY, CARUSO AT TIGER BAY: State Rep. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, and Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, are slated to speak to the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)
PALM BEACH DELEGATION MEETS: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet to elect a chair and vice-chair and to hold a public hearing as it prepares for the 2020 session. The 13-member delegation is currently chaired by Rep. Matt Willhite, D-Wellington, with Rep. Rick Roth, R-West Palm Beach, serving as vice chairman. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, 5444 Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach.)
LOBBYISTS GATHER FOR CONFERENCE: The Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists will start a three-day annual conference. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando.)
REFUGEE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Jacksonville Area Refugee Task Force will meet. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Jacksonville Baptist Association, 2700 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville.)
GULF CONSORTIUM HOLDS CALL: The Finance and Budget Committee of the Gulf Consortium, which works on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 4 p.m. Call-in number: 1-646-749-3129. Code: 773744389.)
WATER RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a meeting in Polk County about a proposed increase in water rates for customers of CHC VII, Ltd. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Haines City Public Library, 111 North Sixth St., Haines City.)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
PINELLAS DELEGATION MEETS: The Pinellas County legislative delegation will meet as it prepares for the 2020 session. The delegation is made up of Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor; Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg; Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater; Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa; Rep. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach; Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater; Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Jennifer Webb, D-Gulfport; and Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg. (Thursday, 9 a.m., St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater.)
SOUTHWEST PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 1, Fort Myers.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Volusia, Broward and Seminole counties. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Ormond Beach Senior Center, 351 Andrews St., Ormond Beach. Also, 10 a.m., Southwest Ranches Town Hall, 13400 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches. Also, 2 p.m., Seminole County Library, in conjunction with the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, 215 North Oxford Road, Casselberry.)
MARTIN COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Martin County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2020 legislative session. The delegation is made up of Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta; and Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Indian River State College, Chastain Campus, Wolf Technology Center, 2400 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart.)
GULF COAST COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Gulf Coast State College, William C. Cramer Jr. Seminar Room, Panama City.)
DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Alliance will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 262492927.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to issue its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
LAWMAKERS EYE STATE FINANCES: A joint House and Senate panel will meet and consider a detailed report about the state’s finances and budget picture. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission will receive a presentation about an annual report known as the Long-Range Financial Outlook. The report details issues such as projected tax dollars and amounts that lawmakers are likely to spend on various categories of programs, including education and health care. The report presents estimated costs for “critical” and “high priority” state needs. Taking those needs into consideration, a draft version of the report projects the state would have a relatively small general-revenue surplus of $289.3 million for the upcoming 2020-2021 fiscal year. Lawmakers on Sept. 16 will start holding a series of regular committee meetings to prepare for the 2020 session, which will begin in January. A key part of the session will be negotiating a budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which begins July 1. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
HEALTH ‘SUMMIT’ HELD: The advocacy group Florida Voices for Health will start a two-day “summit,” with speakers expected to include Health News Florida founder Carol Gentry. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Space Coast Health Foundation Center for Collaboration, 1100 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge.)
WATER DISTRICT WEIGHS BUDGET: The Northwest Florida Water Management District will hold a public hearing to consider a 2019-2020 property-tax millage rate and budget. (Thursday, 5:05 p.m. Central time, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City.)
PROPOSED RATE HIKE DISCUSSED: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a meeting in Highlands County about a proposed increase in water rates for customers of Placid Lakes Utilities, Inc. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Lake Placid Council chamber, 1069 U.S. 27 North, Lake Placid.)
GREGORY HOLDS TOWN HALL: State Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, will hold a town hall meeting. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Keiser University, Sarasota Campus, 6151 Lake Osprey Dr., Sarasota.)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)
SEMINOLE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETS: The Seminole County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2020 session. The delegation is made up of Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs; Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs; Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood; and Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil, D-Maitland. (Friday, 1 p.m., Seminole County Services Building, commission chamber, 1101 East First St., Sanford.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Okeechobee County. (Friday, 1 p.m., Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., Okeechobee.)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019
NEW COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The New College of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Saturday, 8:30 a.m., New College of Florida, College Hall, 351 College Dr., Sarasota.)
