Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

Now it’s a Baker’s Dozen. Retired pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson will be the 13th candidate to appear at the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit, scheduled next week in Orlando. “We are excited to welcome Ben Carson to our list of presidential candidates speaking at the Sunshine Summit in Orlando,” said a statement Wednesday from […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

With any election, no matter how you slice it, somebody comes out on top. In the 2015 elections, Ruth’s List Florida had a good night. And by the next day, there was an email showing they were ready to boast. “Ruth’s List-endorsed candidate, Lisa Wheeler-Brown won her election for St. Petersburg City Council and Kristin […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

Tallahassee-based law firm Meenan P.A. announced the addition of two new lawyers for their legislative and regulatory practice. Stephen C. Burgess will work in an “Of Counsel” capacity; Sarah Niewold is the firm’s newest associate. With more than 35 years’ experience working with the Florida Legislature and executive branches, Burgess is a former consumer advocate […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott named Indian Shores attorney James “Jim” Holton to the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. TBARTA was created in 2007 by the Florida Legislature to develop a transportation master plan for a seven-county region of west-central Florida. The agency covers Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties. Holton, […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

In opposing the bankruptcy filing for Puerto Rico, Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio said he does not believe in a “silver bullet.” Puerto Ricans should tighten their belts, he declared. According to Casey Tolan of Fusion, what Rubio fails to mention is that he received thousands of dollars in campaign cash from individuals – particularly […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2015

At long last, Jeb Bush is getting serious about his image. After several weak debate performances and a series of less-than-stellar broadcast interviews, the Republican presidential candidate is reaching out for help improving his television image. Gabriel Sherman of New York Magazine writes that Bush is turning to the same person Roger Ailes uses to […]

Phil AmmannNovember 2, 2015

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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. Off: Chris Cantens is no longer the legislative assistant for Miami Lakes Republican state Rep. Jose Oliva. On: Sheree Vann is now the district secretary for Lake City Republican state Rep. Elizabeth Porter. […]

Phil AmmannNovember 2, 2015

Whenever there is a police officer-involved shooting, supervisors often call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for an independent investigation. Now the agency is struggling to keep up. According to WFTS Tampa, FDLE’s caseload on officer-involved shootings jumped 31 percent last year; and rising 117 percent during the past five years. The backlog is leaving […]

Phil AmmannNovember 2, 2015

As fantasy-sports operators face scrutiny and increased calls for regulation, the industry is turning to a former member of the Obama administration to help prove to outsiders it can self-monitor. Seth Harris, who was deputy U.S. Labor Secretary and was acting department head for more than a year, has been retained by the Fantasy Sports […]

Phil AmmannNovember 2, 2015

On Monday, former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp was appointed to the board of directors for the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Kottkamp, a three-time Florida House member who served from 2007 to 2011 as the state’s 17th lieutenant governor, will fill the remaining term of FAPL Board Member Fred Leonhardt. Leonhardt died suddenly last month. […]

Phil Ammann
Kathleen King and Joe Gruters. Image via Max Goodman.

Now it’s 13: Ben Carson latest to attend Florida GOP Sunshine Summit

Email insights: Ruth’s List celebrates election wins, but there’s more to do

Personnel note: Tallahassee-based Meenan P.A. adds 2 new lawyers

Gov. Scott names Jim Holton, reappoints Cliff Manuel to TBARTA

After taking donations from hedge funds holding Puerto Rican debt, Marco Rubio opposed bankruptcy

Jeb Bush campaign reaches out to Fox News TV guru for image work

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

FDLE “can’t keep up” with officer-involved shooting caseload, requests $3.4M for new agents

Fantasy sports lobbies up, hires former deputy Labor Secretary for self-regulation

Jeff Kottkamp named to finish Fred Leonhardt’s term on FAPL board