Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

Happy 100th birthday, Florida state parks! This year we should be celebrating the state’s first park – Royal Palm State Park – created at the insistence of women’s club members who wanted it protected before it was consumed by development. Instead, the Florida Legislature is considering allowing a number of commercial activities, including logging, cattle […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

I have been fortunate during during my years in public service to see how government works from the bottom up, and from the top down. My seven years as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives gave me great insight into the way statewide policy is developed. Yet my service as a member […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 7027, a broadly worded bill that seeks to reform several policies and programs for the Florida Department of Transportation. After senators adopted a series of amendments, LobbyTools reports the bill now returns to the House. Among the amendments were adding language to encourage the development of transportation policy for […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

When people think of Florida, they picture the Florida Keys with its clear water, warm sand and the quintessential laid-back lifestyle. But, the Keys are much more than that, as it is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, a national marine sanctuary, national and state parks, wildlife refuges, state aquatic preserves, and unique marine […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

Each Legislative Session brings a cadre of bills, usually touted as consumer-friendly measures, that on the surface sound like good-government laws. In reality, such bills often have unintended consequences that should be exposed for consumer protection reasons. Companions House Bill 1041 and Senate Bill 966, related to unclaimed property, form one such example of state […]

Phil AmmannMarch 6, 2016

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Death penalty fix should have gone further Unwilling to abolish the death penalty, the Florida Legislature at least should have done everything possible to ensure the sentencing process is constitutional. Instead, lawmakers pulled up just short. That mistake will leave Florida an […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

The cost of health care and health insurance are among the top concerns of registered voters, according to a new poll released by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Falling behind only terrorism and the economy, the rising cost of health care is very much on the minds of voters across the country. That’s certainly the case […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

On behalf of hard-working families, seniors, veterans, those experiencing homelessness and those with special needs throughout the state, the Florida Senate and House of Representatives took a positive step this week. Together, both chambers came to an agreement on funding for affordable housing, recommending that $214.1 million be appropriated from Florida’s housing trust funds toward […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

Tallahassee insiders across Leon County gave local job seekers a big helping hand this week by donating thousands of pieces of professional attire. In the first-ever #SuitsForSession, Volunteer Florida and Uber collected 4,023 donations Tuesday at both the Capitol and by Uber drivers picking up items across the county free of charge. Through the project, […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

A bill making sweeping changes to the Department of Financial Services is heading to the Senate Thursday after passing the House floor 114 to 1. In addition to rewriting a variety of regulations, HB 651, from Monticello Republican Rep. Halsey Beshears, also establishes or alters numerous DFS programs, reports LobbyTools. Among the changes, the bill […]

Phil Ammann

Leslie Kemp Poole: Tell legislators to keep commercial ventures out of state parks

Manny Cid: State government should stop interfering with local authority

Senate unanimously passes broad transportation bill, sends to House

Anitere Flores and Holly Raschein: Legislature must provide money to protect The Florida Keys

Paul Sanford: Governor should veto state money-grab legislation

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Charles Evans: Florida needs bold approach to cut health care costs

Jaimie Ross: Kudos to the Legislature for providing money for affordable housing

Volunteer Florida, Uber collect 4,000 #SuitsForSession items for job seekers

House passes sweeping reforms to Department of Financial Services