Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannMay 10, 2017

As A-Team’s Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith often says: “I love it when a plan comes together.” If current momentum holds, starting May 9, Coral Gables will become the first Florida city to ban single-use plastic shopping bags. It’s a move directly contradicting Florida law, which gives the state regulatory purview over the issue. And Coral Gables’ […]

Phil AmmannMay 9, 2017

Hours after Florida lawmakers approved the new state spending plan, Gwen Graham is demanding Gov. Rick Scott veto the Legislature’s “education-eviscerating” budget. In a statement Tuesday morning, the newly announced Democratic candidate for governor said, if elected, she would veto any budget that shortchanges Florida schools in favor of the “education industry.” “For decades, Floridians […]

Phil AmmannMay 9, 2017

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Tampa-based Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, an Am Law 200 firm, is extending its public affairs arm with the launch of Shumaker Advisors Florida. The group will offer legislation advocacy, issue management and business-to-government and business-to-business services. Shumaker employees more than 260 lawyers and operates five offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota; and […]

Phil AmmannMay 8, 2017

Ben Pollara, executive director of Florida For Care, spoke out Monday afternoon over the well-publicized split with Orlando uber-attorney John Morgan over the failed medical marijuana implementation bill. On Friday night, the Florida Legislature killed HB 1397, a bill to enact the medical marijuana amendment approved by 71 percent of voters in November. Morgan, who […]

Phil AmmannMay 8, 2017

Poynter Institute President Tim Franklin is resigning to become senior associate dean at the Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing at Northwestern University. Franklin joined the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit journalistic foundation in 2014, leading “a financial turnaround at the Institute and adapted Poynter’s business to the changing industry,” according to the news release. […]

Phil AmmannMay 8, 2017

Local control, the notion that communities should have a certain degree of “home rule” in managing its own affairs, has become one of the hot-button issues in both Florida and across the country. As part of the “ban the bag” movement, however, the rallying cry of “local control” is in danger of trivialization, made almost […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

Working toward a final Florida state budget, news of a skirmish between the Senate and House emerges. A war of words appears to have broken out between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Latvala ended budget negotiations after Corcoran “changed the deal” by insisting the final agreement link […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

Florida senators, including some reluctant Democrats, voted to expanded two of Florida’s de facto education voucher programs that aid low-income students and those with disabilities. The Tampa Bay Times reports HB 15 passed 27-11 Friday morning, on a vote where four Democrats joined Republicans. The bill returns to the House this afternoon for final approval […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

This week, our Northeast Florida correspondent has been ensconced in the Corrine Brown trial. The trial is finally moving into defense testimony after a blistering week of witnesses for the prosecution saying that Brown knew “One Door for Education” was one big scam. However, here’s the rub: Donors didn’t care. They didn’t really vet the […]

Phil AmmannMay 3, 2017

As Ileana Ros-Lehtinen retires from the U.S. House when her term ends after next year, she is leaving behind an impressive tenure. To put context on Ros-Lehtinen’s lengthy time in office, Eric Ostermeier of Smart Politics examined how the Miami Republican compared to female colleagues and predecessors over the decades in Congress. When Ros-Lehtinen exits […]

Phil Ammann
SBA opens storm recovery centers in Sarasota, Manatee for Hurricane Debby, Helene and Milton victims.

Coral Gables plastic bag ban will force lawsuit — exactly as planned

Gwen Graham calls on Rick Scott to veto ‘education-eviscerating’ budget

Tampa-based Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick law firm launches Shumaker Advisors Florida

Ben Pollara’s emotional mea culpa on John Morgan split, marijuana bill failure

Poynter President Tim Franklin resigns for role at Medill School of Journalism

Surfrider’s passion for ‘local control’ in ban the bag debate rings false, is opportunistic spin

Jack Latvala blames final budget stalemate on Richard Corcoran’s ‘last-minute switcheroo’

Senate advances voucher expansion bill, goes to House for final vote

Jacksonville Bold for 5.5.17 — No one left to lie to

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to exit Congress as sixth all-time tenure for female House members