News/Updates
ADVANCES: WEEK OF OCTOBER
18, 2020
October 16, 2020 NSF Staff
TALLAHASSEE --- More than 2.2 million ballots have been cast in the Nov. 3
election before Floridians even walk into polling places.
But that is about to change Monday, when counties in many parts of the state
open early voting sites.
Florida has seen an unprecedented number of people voting by mail in recent
weeks, fueled by factors such as the coronavirus pandemic and the intense
interest in the race between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential
nominee Joe Biden.
Most of the state’s 14.4 million registered voters, however, have not cast
ballots. And that means the number of people going to early voting sites will be
closely watched during the next two weeks.
Democrats have far outdistanced Republicans in mail-in voting. But will the GOP
make up ground at early voting sites before Election Day? And how will the
parties try to turn out their loyalists?
All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31. But
they have the option to start as soon as Monday. Also, they can choose to extend
early voting to Nov. 1.
And for Floridians who don’t vote by mail or vote early, there’s always the
old-fashioned way: Show up on Election Day.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
EARLY VOTING BEGINS: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general
election will begin Monday in Alachua,
Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto,
Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough,
Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy,
Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa,
Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa
Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla and
Washington counties. All counties are required
to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of
beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to
Nov. 1.
NEW TOLL ROAD AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a
meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would build a multi-use
corridor, including a toll road, from Collier to Polk counties. The proposal is
one of three potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers.
The public can watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations.
(Monday, 9 a.m. Online registration at
www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, AdventHealth Conference Center,
210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, or Bonita Springs/Estero Elks Lodge
2753, 3231 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs.)
SOUTH FLORIDA PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The South Florida Regional Planning
Council will hold an online meeting. (Monday, 10:30 a.m. Go to
https://sfregionalcouncil.org/ocotber-19th-sfrpc-meeting-notice/ for
information.)
MACMANUS DISCUSSES WOMEN VOTERS: Susan MacManus, a longtime political-science
professor at the University of South Florida, will discuss the impact of women
voting during an online “Florida Suffrage Tea Time” hosted by the Florida
Commission on the Status of Women. (Monday, noon. Register at
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2835082346043162893)
MUSLIM VOTE AT ISSUE: Florida International University will hold an online event
to discuss the impact of Muslim voters on the 2020 elections. (Monday, noon.
Register at
https://fiu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FSoZYEhPTqi4sdsil3NZPg)
FSU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH ON AGENDA: The Florida State University Presidential
Search Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting, as it begins working to
find a replacement for retiring President John Thrasher. (Monday, 1 p.m.,
Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola
St., Tallahassee.)
‘IBUDGET’ CHANGES EYED: The state Agency for Persons with Disabilities will hold
an online workshop about rules to carry out a state law that makes changes in
the “iBudget” program, which helps provide services to people with developmental
and intellectual disabilities. (Monday, 1 p.m. Register at
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8131087908325507339)
MARINE LITTER TARGETED: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Andrew Wheeler will hold a news conference in Boca Raton to discuss efforts to
reduce global marine litter. Other participants in the news conference are
expected to include U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla. (Monday, 2 p.m., Boca Raton.
Reporters may contact press@epa.gov for
information about attending.)
SEMINOLE STATE TRUSTEES MEET: The Seminole State College of Florida Board of
Trustees will meet. (Monday, 2 p.m.
www.seminolestate.edu/live-video. Call-in number: 1-312-626-6799. Meeting
ID: 92194465892)
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN AT ISSUE: The Florida Division of Historical
Resources will hold an online event to begin planning for the state’s 2022 to
2026 Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. (Monday, 5:30 p.m. Register at
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7873105097140271376. Webinar ID:
422442067. Call-in number: 1-562- 247-8422. Code: 509095363)
BIDEN CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO RALLY BLACK MEN: Democratic presidential candidate Joe
Biden’s campaign and state Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, will hold an event
as part of a “Black Men, VOTE!” initiative. Participants in the event are
expected to include state Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, and Democratic
National Committee Vice Chairman Michael Blake. (Monday, 6 p.m., The Palace
Barbershop, 5600 Pembroke Road, West Park. Livestreamed at
facebook.com/BidenForFL and
facebook.com/RepShevrinJones)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3
general election will expand Tuesday to Liberty
and Sumter counties. All counties are required
to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of
beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to
Nov. 1.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management
District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., district headquarters,
2379 Broad St., Brooksville. Online at
https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/newsroom/videos/live-video)
MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Miami-Dade College Board of Trustees will
meet. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second
Ave., Miami. Livestream at
https://www.mdc.edu/livestream)
SUNCOAST PARKWAY EXTENSION EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will
hold a meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would extend the
Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County. The proposal is one of
three potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers. The
public can watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations.
(Tuesday, 9 a.m. Online registration at
www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, Morriston Baptist Church
meeting room, 3141 U.S. 41, Morriston, or Dixie County Adult Education Center,
823 S.E. Highway 349, Old Town.)
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Petersburg College Board of
Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. North,
Clearwater.)
CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will
start a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the first
day are expected to include U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Gov. Ron DeSantis;
Attorney General Ashley Moody; and Larry Kudlow, assistant to the president and
director of the National Economic Council. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. Registration for the
event is closed.)
NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida State College Board
of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Northwest Florida State
College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)
SANTA FE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees will
meet. (Tuesday, 4 p.m. For information about how to remotely attend the meeting
or to arrange to provide public comment, contact 352-395-5170 or
general.counsel@sfcollege.edu)
PENSACOLA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Pensacola State College Board of Trustees
will hold an online meeting. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
https://pensacolastate.zoom.us/j/96193879183. Call-in numbers:
1-877-369-0926 or 1-877-853-5247. Webinar ID: 96193879183)
SOUTHWEST TOLL ROAD DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will
hold an open house to discuss a proposal that would build a multi-use corridor,
including a toll road, from Collier to Polk counties. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.,
Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda.)
NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The North Florida College Board of Trustees
will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Florida College, Student Center, Lakeside
Room, Madison.)
CHIPOLA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Chipola College Board of Trustees is
scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Chipola College, Public Service
Building, Marianna.)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3
general election will expand Wednesday to Dixie
and Gilchrist counties. All counties are
required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option
of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting
to Nov. 1.
CITRUS BUDGET DISCUSSED: The Florida Citrus Commission is expected to finalize
its budget and consider an increase to a “box tax” growers pay to help market
citrus products. The decisions come as the U.S. Department of Agriculture
forecast for the recently started growing season indicated a 15 percent
reduction in the orange crop and 7 percent fewer grapefruit than during the past
season. . (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St.,
Bartow. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 258577262)
TURNPIKE EXTENSION ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold
a meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would extend Florida’s
Turnpike to connect with the Suncoast Parkway. The proposal is one of three
potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers. The public can
watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations. (Wednesday, 9
a.m. Online registration at
www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7620
Florida 471, Bushnell, or Citrus County Building Alliance, 1196 South Lecanto
Highway, Lecanto.)
UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals
Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008.
Code: 772093952)
VISIT FLORIDA EYES RURAL ISSUES: The Visit Florida Industry Services, Small
Business and Rural Development Council will hold a conference call in advance of
an Executive Committee meeting on Oct. 28. (Wednesday, 10 a.m.
https://visitflorida.zoom.us/j/92275321186. Call-in numbers: 1-877-853-5257
or 1-888-475-4499. Code: 92275321186)
SCHALE SPEAKS TO TIGER BAY: Democratic strategist Steve Schale is expected to
speak during an online meeting of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 12:15
p.m. Register at
https://flaglertigerbayclub.com/)
CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will
continue a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the
second day are expected to include Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran; Rep.
Vance Aloupis, R-Miami; Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis; and Dana Young,
president and CEO of Visit Florida. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. Registration for the
event is closed.)
ST. JOHNS COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River State College Board of
Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. Meeting can be seen at
youtube.com/sjrstate)
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of
Directors will meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Florida Development Finance Corp., 156
Tuskawilla Road, Suite 2340, Winter Springs. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292.
Code: 1114579727)
CITIZENS COUNSEL AT ISSUE: A committee set up by the Citizens Property Insurance
Board of Governors will discuss the state-backed insurer’s recruitment process
to replace General Counsel Dan Sumner, who is retiring in January. (Wednesday, 3
p.m. Call-in number: 1-786-635-1003. Code: 98643729596)
HEMP ISSUES ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services’ Hemp Advisory Committee will meet in a conference call. (Wednesday, 4
p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 570607149)
LAKE-SUMTER COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Lake-Sumter State College Board of
Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Lake-Sumter State College, South Lake
Campus, Building 2, 1250 North Hancock Road, Clermont.)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3
general election will expand Thursday into
Baker, Columbia, Hardee and Highlands counties.
All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but
they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option
to extend early voting to Nov. 1.
UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will
meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni
Center, Orlando.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Vlmp2_uqk&feature=youtu.be)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to
release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will
conclude a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the third
day are expected to include state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis;
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried; Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of
Enterprise Florida; incoming Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; and
incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor. (Thursday, 1 p.m.
Registration for the event is closed.)
NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida Water Management
District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Call-in number:
1-888-585-9008. Code: 778688267)
VISIT FLORIDA MARKETING AT ISSUE: The Visit Florida Marketing Council will hold
a conference call to update the 2020-2021 marketing plan. (Thursday, 1 p.m.
Call-in number: 1-646-876-9923. Code: 99937472653)
SPACE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet.
(Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Orlando Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.
Call-in number: 1-866-528-2256. Code: 4875556)
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services’ Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet in a conference call.
(Thursday, 4 p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 908306109)
TURNPIKE EXTENSION ON TABLE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold
an open house to discuss a proposal that would extend Florida’s Turnpike to
connect with the Suncoast Parkway. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Plantation on Crystal
River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River.)
SUNCOAST PARKWAY EXTENSION OUTLINED: The Florida Department of Transportation
will hold an open house to discuss a proposal that would extend the Suncoast
Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Madison
County Church of God, 771 N.E. Colin Kelly Highway, Madison.)
NORTH CENTRAL PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The North Central Florida Regional
Planning Council will hold an online meeting. (Thursday, 7 p.m.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/944106901. Call-in number:
1-866-899-4679. Code: 944106901)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020
SPEECH-LANGUAGE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology will hold an online meeting. (Friday, 9 a.m.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/381000533. Call-in number:
1-866-899-4679. Code: 381000533)
ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet. (Friday, 11
a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
CHILD ABUSE DEATHS AT ISSUE: The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee is
slated to meet. (Friday, 12:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code:
574649225)
FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday
deadline for filing reports detailing finance activity through Oct. 16.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3
general election will begin Saturday in Bay,
Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Suwannee, Union and Walton counties.
All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but
they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option
to extend early voting to Nov. 1.
--
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks
State Vice President
State Legislative Trustee,
ABATE of Florida, Inc.