Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannJune 21, 2015

Father’s Day gives children (of all ages) a chance to honor the chief man in their lives; devoted dads who provided guidance, inspiration, and love. First-term Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Graham knows a thing or two about inspirational fathers; hers is former Governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham – a North Florida political icon beloved by […]

Phil AmmannJune 21, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Urgency needed on discipline changes for Hillsborough schools The Hillsborough County School District has a serious problem with school discipline and disparity in punishments between white and minority students. But after identifying the issue and committing to address it two years ago, […]

Phil AmmannJune 20, 2015

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who has been considering a bid for Marco Rubio’s U.S. Senate seat, confirmed he will announce a decision on July 15. Lopez-Cantera announced the date to an audience of Miami-Dade Republicans while introducing Rubio – who is in the midst of his own presidential campaign — at the county GOP’s annual Lincoln Day […]

Phil AmmannJune 20, 2015

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced nine appointments to a variety of state boards and commissions. Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute Scott started by naming Sherrie Nickell to the Board of Directors, Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida. The USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute […]

Phil AmmannJune 20, 2015

No rest for the weary Florida lawmaker. Make that about 80 days of rest. Even as the Sine Die hanky fell on the 2015A Special Legislative Session, and ink dries on a $79 billion budget sitting on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk, plans for next year’s session are already well under way. A joint memo released […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

A top 100 U.S. law firm has joined the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce Coalition in its effort to pass statewide discrimination protection in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Akerman LLP, the largest law firm in Florida and one of the 34 top employers in the state, has joined the fight for the Competitive […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Affordable housing programs received a significant boost in Florida’s near $79 billion budget passed this afternoon, says Jaimie Ross of the Sadowski Housing Coalition. In a statement issued soon after the House approved the General Appropriations Act of 2015, Ross, who serves as organizer of the Sadowski Coalition and president of the Florida Housing Coalition, […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

A final vote on the near $79 billion budget Friday afternoon brought a disappointing end to Florida’s 2015 Legislative Session, according to House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford. “I think of all the missed opportunities,” said the West Palm Beach Democrat, who faces term limits in 2016. “As much as this budget funds many good programs and […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Citing “blatant political maneuvering and a disregard for the wishes of voters,” few lawmakers can take pride in the 2015 Legislative Session, says Pamela Goodman, President of the Florida League of Women Voters. Her primary concerns in the recently ended Special Session A were notable failures in accepting federal Medicaid expansion money to cover more […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Florida Education Association President Andy Ford hailed the newly passed $78.8 billion budget as a “step forward” in properly funding the state’s public education. But more work is needed, he cautioned. Florida lawmakers finished the overtime marathon session after 6 p.m. Passed unanimously by the Senate and by a 96-17 vote in the House, the […]

Phil Ammann

Email insights: Gwen Graham Father’s Day message of inspiration and role models

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Carlos Lopez-Cantera to announce Senate intentions July 15

Rick Scott announces nine state board appointments

No rest for the weary: 2016 legislative committee meeting schedule announced

National legal firm Akerman joins Competitive Workforce Coalition

Sadowski Housing Coalition cheers record Florida budget for funding affordable housing

House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford laments ‘missed opportunities’ in budget

Florida League of Women Voters blast record budget that ‘ignores Constitution’

FEA president praises budget as ‘step forward’ for public schools, says further work needed