Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

Florida merchants can expect fireworks for July 4 weekend, and not just the paper-and-gunpowder kind. Just in time for Independence Day this Saturday, a new report from the Florida Retail Federation — the state’s leading consumer sales trade association — says Floridians will spending more this year on holiday-themed events, food and merchandise. In the […]

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

July 4 may mean a day off for most Americans, but not so for National Republicans. In a campaign memo, the Republican National Committee announced it is using the holiday as the “next phase in its ground game strategy” – with a series of events happening at the earliest time in several election cycles. On […]

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

First-term St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Darden Rice has said she will not seek the 13th Congressional District seat now held by Republican David Jolly. Rice, a 45-year-old Democrat, said she wants to focus her energy on local issues, such as the city’s recently adopted wage theft ordinance. In an email to Florida Politics on Friday, Rice […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

On Thursday, Scott Shalley began as the new Executive Director of the Florida Association of Counties, replacing former Director Christopher Holley, who is retiring. Shalley has been with the association since 2012, most recently as enterprise director; he was chosen for the leadership position in the fall by the FAC board of directors. “For more […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

Florida, the federal government and other Gulf Coast states on Thursday came to an agreement with oil producer BP to resolve years of legal claims over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The historic resolution, tentatively set at $18.7 billion, will be the largest environmental settlement ever. Payments, to be split among Mississippi, Alabama, […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

BP has agreed to pay a record $18.732 billion to resolve claims by five Gulf states of violating the Clean Water Act, harming natural resources, and other economic damages from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As a part of the agreement announced Thursday, Florida will receive at least $3.25 billion. The overall deal has […]

Phil AmmannJuly 1, 2015

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Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation has a new communications team. Commissioner Drew Breakspear on Wednesday unveiled the reorganized Office of Communications. The new team — called the Office of Communications and Governmental Relations — will now include both official legislative and cabinet affairs for the Sunshine State. To lead the new department, Breakspear selected Jamie […]

Phil AmmannJuly 1, 2015

Boca Raton health-care executive John “J.B.” Bensmihen said Wednesday he’ll post solid fundraising numbers in his campaign to unseat two-term Democratic U.S Rep. Lois Frankel. Bensmihen, a self-described moderate Republican, said he raised more than $100,000 in the second quarter of 2015 in his bid for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, the Democratic-leaning region of Palm […]

Phil AmmannJuly 1, 2015

Floridians can now get more vaccines at local pharmacies, thanks to a new state law starting Wednesday. Signed by Gov. Rick Scott on June 10, House Bill 279 makes new vaccines available to patients at pharmacies, instead of only at doctors’ offices. The new products join influenza and shingles vaccines, which were already available at […]

Phil AmmannJune 30, 2015

Florida lawmakers just wanna have fun – to borrow a line from Cyndi Lauper. As summer breaks all over the country, Floridians look forward to visiting vacation spots both at home and across America. The Florida Senate is no different. In the 75-odd days until committee meetings start for the 2016 Legislative Session, a newly announced […]

Phil Ammann
Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

Florida retailers can expect “fireworks” at cash registers on July 4 weekend, report says

GOP using July 4 events as national “day of action” for ground game

Darden Rice won’t run for David Jolly’s congressional seat

Scott Shalley begins as executive director of Florida Association of Counties

Kathy Castor: BP settlement “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for economic recovery

DEP, FWC respond to record BP settlement, applauds Gulf Coast recovery progress

Office of Financial Regulation unveils reorganized communications team

J.B. Bensmihen posts $100K in race to unseat Lois Frankel in CD 22

New Florida law expands list of vaccinations available at local pharmacies

Florida Senate Majority puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising during summer break