Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannDecember 30, 2015

House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran is setting up a 15-member committee of Republican state lawmakers to help campaigns navigate the 2016 election cycle. As first reported by Legislative IQ powered by Lobby Tools, the Land O’Lakes Republican is starting his effort by requiring each Republican House candidate to qualify by voter petition, and not by paying the […]

Phil AmmannDecember 30, 2015

In the opening weeks of 2016, Florida’s three professional football stadiums and Daytona International Speedway will each vie for taxpayer funds to help pay for upgrades, many already in progress. Ranking the applicants — Jacksonville Jaguars, Daytona International Speedway (DIS), Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins — will be the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, […]

Phil AmmannDecember 27, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Taxpayers assume risk, little gain for charter schools Florida has invested heavily in privately run charter schools for years, and the payoff for taxpayers has been uneven at best. While some successful charter schools fill particular needs in local communities, too many […]

Phil AmmannDecember 26, 2015

With the end of 2015 only days away, and Iowa caucuses not far behind, support for Marco Rubio seems to be softening in some national polls. The Florida senator’s dip, however slight, comes at what may be the worst possible moment for Rubio, who is seen by both Republican and Democratic establishment types as the […]

Phil AmmannDecember 26, 2015

For most Americans, the days before Christmas can get more than a little hectic. Add to that the frenetic pace of a presidential campaign, and it’s no surprise that things can get unbelievably busy. Jeb Bush spent much of the past week busy on the campaign trail in New Hampshire. However, the approaching holidays provided him […]

Phil AmmannDecember 26, 2015

In June, during one of the best stretches of his presidency, Barack Obama strode through a West Wing hallway exclaiming, “Offense! Stay on offense!” It was a rallying cry for a White House that suddenly seemed to find its footing in the final quarter of Obama’s tenure. An Asia-Pacific trade agreement was moving forward, as […]

Phil AmmannDecember 23, 2015

Big-money backers of Marco Rubio, including billionaires Norman Braman and Bill Koch, will host a pair of South Florida fundraisers next month to support the Republican presidential candidate. The events will be the final Rubio fundraisers held in the Miami area before the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses. Both events are scheduled Jan. 10. The first, […]

Phil AmmannDecember 22, 2015

Three Florida cities, including St. Petersburg and Orlando, earned perfect scores in enacting policies to protect gay, lesbian and transgendered citizens from discrimination. In a statement Tuesday, Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce recognized Orlando, St. Petersburg and Wilton Manors (in Broward County), for receiving 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation 2015 Municipal […]

Phil AmmannDecember 22, 2015

Volunteer work may be a year-round calling, but it’s the holiday season when most Floridians are aware of others in need. That’s why Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s lead agency for service and volunteerism statewide, promotes the theme of holiday service for the month of December. In a new email to supporters, Volunteer Florida highlights one […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

Donald Trump’s popularity as a candidate, based on Internet searches in Florida, seem to have jumped to the opposing party during Saturday night’s Democratic Presidential Debate in New Hampshire. Tallahassee-based Strategic Digital Services (SDS) released figures Monday examining Google Trends for Florida media markets throughout the final debate of the year. Many observers see online […]

Phil Ammann

Republican House candidates should qualify by petition, Richard Corcoran says

Daytona International Speedway a perfect fit for Florida Sports Development Program

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Marco Rubio faces Christmas weekend with softening national, primary state poll numbers

Like millions of Americans, Jeb Bush enjoys hectic Christmas week, last-minute shopping

In final year, Barack Obama seeks to stave off lame-duck status

Marco Rubio to hold pair of big money Miami-area fundraisers Jan. 10

3 Florida cities receive perfect score for LGBT anti-discrimination policies

Email insights: HandsOn Jax brings holiday cheer to local schoolchildren

Florida voters “solidly searched” Donald Trump online during Democratic debate