Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannApril 28, 2017

Book lovers and supporters of shopping locally can fuel their passions Saturday during National Independent Bookstore Day. Midtown Reader, Tallahassee’s newest and hottest independent bookstore, is taking part in the third annual nationwide event, held on the last Saturday in April, with hourly specials from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Founded by influential political adviser […]

Phil AmmannApril 28, 2017

Florida lawmakers are seeking to rename a section of Alternate U.S. 19 in northern Pinellas County after a Tarpon Springs police officer killed in the line of duty in 2014. On Thursday, the Florida Senate unanimously approved changing the name of a stretch between Tarpon Avenue and the Pasco County line to the Officer Charles […]

Phil AmmannApril 27, 2017

Two health insurer regulations passed the Senate floor unanimously Thursday, while similar House measures stall in committee. LobbyTools reports that Senators passed SB 102, which prohibit health insurers and health maintenance organizations from retroactive claim denial after verifying the eligibility of a patient, which usually occurs during a post-payment audit. Members also passed SB 182, […]

Phil AmmannApril 26, 2017

Several Florida counties, including those in the Tampa Bay area, are now under a Phase I water shortage, which comes with the possibility of future watering restrictions. During its board meeting Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District announced 16 counties affected by a Phase I water shortage. The counties are Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, […]

Phil AmmannApril 26, 2017

An epic divorce battle years in the making has embroiled Tampa Republican heavyweight Don E. Phillips. Despite claims of a “devoted family,” Phillips and his wife Erin spent the past few years firing off waves of competing lawsuits, complete with dramatic accusations of computer hacking, identity theft, domestic violence, stalking and serial infidelity among others. […]

Phil AmmannApril 25, 2017

Tampa International Airport’s chief executive officer welcomed the possibility of an audit as suggested by state Sen. Tom Lee last week. “We get audited all the time,” Joe Lopano said last week at a meeting of the St. Petersburg City Council. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported Lopano was on hand to present the $543 […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2017

As for discussion over a proposed Senate regional transit bill for the Tampa Bay region, it’s all about timing. A group of a dozen local business executives arrived for a lobbying trip to Tallahassee just one day after a contentious Senate committee meeting where three Tampa Bay lawmakers clashed over a bill seeking to overhaul […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2017

Single-use plastic bags, found at nearly every retail, grocery and convenience store in the nation, are now the latest target of environmentalists, as well as by state and local lawmakers. However, in the case of the leading nonprofit behind Florida’s growing “ban the bag” movement, something is not quite right. The Surfrider Foundation, headquartered in […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2017

Twenty-one years after a car crash that took her twin sister’s life, Emily Slosberg is continuing the fight to make Florida roads safer. Slosberg, the state representative and daughter of longtime Democratic state lawmaker Irv Slosberg, has picked up her father’s crusade on driver’s safety by championing stronger texting while driving laws statewide. As reported […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2017

A 21-year-old woman sued by Tampa political activist Sam Rashid is not “backing down,” and has filed a motion Monday to dismiss the case. Rashid, who had twice resigned seats on prestigious boards after making controversial posts on social media, has filed suit in Hillsborough County against former employee Jacqueline Lilley for an alleged libelous” […]

Phil Ammann

Midtown Reader to share love of reading, community on Indie Bookstore Day

Legislature renaming part of U.S. 19 to honor Tarpon Springs officer killed on duty

Senate passes health insurer regulations, while House stalls

Tampa Bay region under Phase I water shortage alert

Dueling lawsuits embroil Tampa power broker Don Phillips, wife in fierce divorce battle

‘Join the club’ — Tampa Airport CEO welcomes Tom Lee’s proposed audit

Business leaders lobby Tampa Bay-area lawmakers on regional transit

Enviro group fronting Florida’s ‘ban the bag’ effort spends next to nothing, accused of skirting lobbying rules

Emily Slosberg’s personal, uphill battle for tougher texting laws

Former employee sued by Tampa activist Sam Rashid ‘won’t back down,’ lawyer says