Government Digest: Oct. 1 - Oct. 7

Bondi builds business group backing

TAMPA — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) announced Sept. 27 its endorsement of Republican Pam Bondi for attorney general, joining a growing list of business groups endorsing the Tampa native. She faces Democratic nominee Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, in the November general election. The NFIB is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, which Bondi has pledged to continue if elected to the state cabinet post. Gelber vows to remove the state as a party to the suit being brought by a consortium of 20 states. Other business groups endorsing Bondi include the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Realtors, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, the Associated Industries of Florida PAC, the Florida Retail Federation, and the Florida Home Builders Association.

Poll: Cabinet races are toss-ups

TALLAHASSEE — A Mason-Dixon telephone poll conducted Sept. 20-22 shows Republicans leading in all three cabinet races, but all are within the poll's +4 percentage points margin for error. Republican Pam Bondi leads in the attorney general race over state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, 38% to 34% with 26% undecided. In the race for chief financial officer, state Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, leads Democrat Loranne Ausley 29% to 27%, with 7% for other candidates and 37% undecided. In the commissioner of agriculture race, Republican congressman Adam Putnam of Bartow leads Democrat Scott Maddox 36% to 32% with 28% undecided.

Class-action for Crist refunds denied

NAPLES — A Naples judge has denied plaintiffs' request to grant class-action status in the pursuit of refunds of $7.5 million in U.S. Senate campaign contributions made to former Republican turned Independent, Gov. Charlie Crist. Plaintiffs plan an immediate appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. The governor is seeking the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. George LeMieux, who Crist appointed to the seat after Sen. Mel Martinez vacated the seat last year. More information may be found at www.CristRefunds.com.

Mack opposes lifting Cuba travel ban

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Cape Coral, is fighting a proposal coming before a congressional committee to remove the ban against tourist travel to Cuba. Mack's says: “We must push for real democratic reforms to take place in Cuba before opening up its borders to tourist travel, including free and fair elections, the release of all political prisoners, and improved human rights.” The House Foreign Affairs Committee was scheduled to meet to consider lifting the longstanding ban on tourist travel. Mack is the ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

MEETINGS

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Charlotte Harbor Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at the administration center, room #119, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

LEE COUNTY

The planning division is holding a series of meetings to take public input on a major update to the The Lee Plan, called New Horizon 2035. The next meeting is the Bayshore community planning panel at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at New Hope Christian Church, 17181 Tarpon Way, North Fort Myers. Another meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council at the Lee County Community Development/Public Works Center, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers. For details about New Horizon 2035, go to www.leegov.com/dcd/ear2011.

COLLIER COUNTY

The growth management division of the land development services department will hold a workshop at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the growth management division, planning and regulation building, conference room 610, 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive, Naples.

TAMPA

The city council will meet as the community redevelopment agency in special session at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the City Council Chambers, Old City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., third floor, Tampa.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Pinellas County Economic Development Council will meet at 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at the EpiCenter, rooms 1-453 and 1-455, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 464-8123.

MANATEE COUNTY

The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

FORUMS

The League of Women Voters of Collier County will host a candidates forum at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at the Naples Hilton, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Candidates for Collier County School Board, Collier County Commission District 2, and state legislative districts 75, 101 and 112 are invited. An optional lunch begins at 11:45 a.m. Lunch reservation are required by Oct. 8. For more information, call (239) 263-4656. A forum on the constitutional amendments will be held from 5-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111 Ave. N., Naples.

The League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area will discuss state constitutional Amendment 4 at its “Cocktails with a Cause” event at 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Queenshead, 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.