Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannJanuary 28, 2016

Florida’s House Education Appropriations Subcommittee released a preliminary budget plan Thursday, two days after the Senate released its version. LobbyTools reports the House is endorsing a higher education budget of $7.26 billion; the Senate spending plan for higher education is slightly less, coming in at $7.25 billion. The House offers $1.205 billion for Florida colleges; the Senate is […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 27, 2016

As a rheumatologist, I treat relatively common problems, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Other individuals have rare conditions shared by only a few people in the U.S. When I am able to bring relief to my patients, my day has been successful. Two protocols used by insurance companies to reduce their costs — […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 27, 2016

Two health care-related bills had final hearings Wednesday, with each passing the House Health & Human Services Committee before heading to the full chamber floor. As reported by LobbyTools, HB 37 seeks to define agreements for services between patients and health providers, cutting out insurers. That bill unanimously passed after two amendments added by Rep. Fred Costello, […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 27, 2016

Google is testing a new feature that provides users with unique content from presidential campaigns. As reported by USA TODAY, Google launches “Candidate Cards” Thursday, an experimental feature that allows both parties to deliver content through a window appearing on the result page of related searches. Content will include images, text and video in an […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

The United Way of Florida released a report on ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – last year, which revealed the scope of financial hardship in Florida. The report found that while 15 percent of Florida households fall beneath the poverty line, an additional 30 percent experience severe financial strain despite being active in […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

After a handful of amendments, an omnibus ethics bill unanimously passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. LobbyTools reports that HB 593 will create a host of new mandates and requirements to help prevent fraud and waste in state government The strike-all amendment approved by the committee was similar to the original bill, only adding text […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

With the most modest recommendations in at least 10 years, the Florida Supreme Court will suggest lawmakers add just one circuit judge to the 2016-2017 budget. LobbyTools reports that the high court, during its annual analysis of statewide caseloads, will be making the proposal to the Florida Legislature as it considers the upcoming state budget. Facing reduced […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Sue Berfield is the new district secretary for state Rep. Chris Latvala. On: Peter Campbell and Linda Segall are new district secretaries for state Rep. Katie Edwards. On: Lance Clemons and Pamela Watt have […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

Republican congressional candidate Justin Grabelle hosts a meet-and-greet fundraising reception in Pinellas County next month featuring special guest U.S. Rep. David Jolly. Grabelle, 33, is running for Florida’s 11th Congressional District, which includes Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. He has already been endorsed by current CD 11 U.S. Rep. Richard Nugent, who announced he would […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 25, 2016

Since the State of Florida has moved away from a fragmented fee-for-service system of healthcare delivery toward a more holistic approach to care through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program, we’ve learned many lessons. One of the most important is that a coordinated healthcare delivery system that addresses whole-body health leads to more effective, […]

Phil Ammann
FEMA. Image via AP.

House, Senate release education budget proposals for 2016-2017

Dr. Pamela Freeman: Better and efficient care, not red tape

2 health care bills pass final committee, next stop House floor

Google to launch Candidate Cards feature during Thursday GOP debate

Ted Granger: Legislature must provide housing money for struggling Floridians

Broad ethics bill unanimously passes first House stop

State Supreme Court to recommend only one new judge in upcoming budget

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

David Jolly featured guest at Justin Grabelle Clearwater fundraiser Feb. 8

Audrey Brown: Don’t cut dental plan until study is completed