Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House sent several bills to the Senate seeking to cut health care costs by changing laws regulating health providers. On Wednesday, the House passed a number of bills: HB 37, which restores the patient-physician relationship through the use of Direct Primary Care; HB 85, extending the length of time a patient can stay in […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Phil AmmannMarch 1, 2016

A Senate committee passed a bill seeking to reform assignment-of-benefits for water damage claims on property insurance rates across the state. LobbyTools reports that SB 1248, from Miami Republican Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, takes several steps to reduce abuse of AOB agreements, which allow third parties to claim the insurance benefits resulting from loss, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 29, 2016

The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee passed SB 704, filed by Elkton Republican Sen. Travis Hutson, which seeks to make several changes to Florida’s building codes. The original Senate bill was replaced with a strike-all amendment incorporating several provisions of the House version passed by the House Regulatory Committee last week. LobbyTools reports that the bill […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 28, 2016

I have spent almost 25 years studying alimony and if I have learned anything, it’s that alimony is complex. Reform can have unintended consequences and so should be the product of a careful, deliberative effort to understand and improve the law rather than a one-sided push to protect people who pay alimony by kicking recipients […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 28, 2016

It looks like there’s one more chance this year for the Legislature to decide whether to sensibly regulate hydraulic fracturing in Florida and it will happen Tuesday at the Senate Committee on Appropriations. For those who view the failure of these bills as some kind of victory, you’re fooling yourselves. A “no” vote on Senate […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 28, 2016

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Less is better from the Florida Legislature It’s not over until it’s over. But with any luck, the 2016 legislative session will be best remembered for the bad ideas state lawmakers are killing rather than for the good public policy they are […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 27, 2016

Donald Trump is threatening to weaken First Amendment protections for reporters as president, making it easier for him to sue them. The celebrity businessman turned Republican presidential front-runner told a rally in Forth Worth, Texas, Friday that he wants to “open up” libel laws. The changes envisioned by Trump would mean that “when they write […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 25, 2016

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Thursday several bills with some cost-saving measures for health providers. The bills now head to the Senate floor. LobbyTools is reporting on SB 1686, sponsored by Fernandina Beach Republican Sen. Aaron Bean, which will allow Florida’s health care practitioners to provide telehealth services. The bill creates a task force under the Agency […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 25, 2016

Facing unsteady ground as Super Tuesday approaches, Marco Rubio is bracing for the prospect of a brokered Republican Convention in Cleveland this July. CNN reports on a closed-door meeting with about 200 Rubio supporters and donors Wednesday evening, where the campaign considered options as a stopgap measure against the nominations of either GOP front-runner Donald Trump […]

Phil Ammann

House sends Senate a variety of health care cost-saving measures

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Senate committee passes assignment-of-benefits reform in water damage insurance claims

Senate approves wide-ranging changes to Florida building codes

Cynthia Lee Starnes: Rick Scott should block alimony reform, appoint task force

Greg Preble: Legislators should approve bill that regulates fracking

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Donald Trump wants to weaken libel laws amid feuds with reporters

Senate committee passes series of cost-saving health care proposals

Marco Rubio donor meeting raises possibility of brokered convention