Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2017

The University of Florida would get about $2.5 million to study the effectiveness of medical marijuana under a bill that cleared the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday. HB 3159 by Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle is aimed at the compassionate use bill lawmakers approved in 2014, which legalized low-THC, high-cannabidiol marijuana for the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2017

Joe Ayoub will again serve as Safety Harbor mayor, after decisively defeating City Council member Janet Hooper by more than 30 points in Tuesday’s municipal elections. He will replace Mayor Andy Steingold, who had retired from local politics. “We have a special city and I absolutely love serving our community,” Ayoub said. “it is humbling […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2017

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer will be back in Florida later this month as special guest at a fundraiser for St. Petersburg Democrat Charlie Crist. Hosted by Kathy and Joe Saunders, JoAnn and John Nestor, Janette and Tom Carey and Watson Haynes, the reception will be Friday, March 24, at the Saunders’ St. Petersburg home […]

Phil AmmannMarch 9, 2017

A top Florida House Republican says that state universities are spending way too much money inappropriately and that they don’t need more help from taxpayers. State Rep. Carlos Trujillo also suggested Wednesday that legislators may need to look at how much university presidents are paid, as well as even how much football and basketball coaches […]

Phil AmmannMarch 8, 2017

A House subcommittee unanimously passed a bill to help service members and spouses find and keep jobs when they relocate to Florida. HB 615, known as Occupational Opportunity Act, sailed through the Florida Careers & Competition Subcommittee Tuesday with a bipartisan vote. Next stop for the bill is the full Commerce Committee. Palm Beach Republican Paul […]

Phil AmmannMarch 6, 2017

In a sudden announcement, longtime WTSP investigative reporter Mike Deeson says he is retiring from the Tampa airwaves, effective immediately. “I know this will come as a surprise to many of my friends in Tampa Bay,” Deeson says in a Facebook post published Monday, “but I have decided to retire from Channel 10 effective today.” Deeson, […]

Phil AmmannMarch 6, 2017

Citing a lack of “common vision” with Gov. Rick Scott, Chris Hart IV has resigned as Enterprise Florida’s president and CEO. Hart, who had previously served as the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, was unanimously selected November 30 by the enterprise Florida board of directors for the job that paid between $175,000 and $200,000 a […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2017

St. Petersburg entrepreneur Bill Edwards will be helping raise money next week for Let’s Get to Work, the political committee closely tied to Republican Gov. Rick Scott. The reception begins 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway in Treasure Island. Minimum suggested contribution for the VIP reception […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2017

This week, a special jumbo-sized edition of Jacksonville Bold looks at the Duval County Legislative Delegation as it prepares for the new session. State Sens. Aaron Bean and Audrey Gibson, of course, are veterans of the process. However, five of the six representatives from Jacksonville are in their first terms, and given the fractious relationship […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 20, 2017

Florida lawmakers will probably not make texting while driving a primary traffic offense in 2017, although it is the law in 41 other states. Right now, Florida doesn’t allow officers to pull over drivers for texting and driving unless they notice another potentially dangerous or deadly offense at the same time. In an interview with […]

Phil Ammann

House bill advances to give University of Florida $2.5M for medical marijuana study

Joe Ayoub wins solid victory to return as Safety Harbor mayor

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer returns to Florida for Charlie Crist fundraiser March 24

Florida House faults universities over salaries and spending

House committee passes military Occupational Opportunity Act

After nearly 50 years in news, Mike Deeson announces retirement

Enterprise Florida CEO Chris Hart resigns, citing lack of ‘common vision’ with Rick Scott

Bill Edwards to help raise money for Rick Scott in Pinellas next week

Jacksonville Bold for 3.3.17 — Duval Delegation ready to roll

WTSP exposé examines Florida’s ‘weakest in nation’ texting, driving laws