Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannSeptember 21, 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: Pepper Uchino is no longer staff director of the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. On: Ellen Rogers is now staff director for the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 21, 2015

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced twelve appointments and one reappointment to a variety of state regulatory boards. Bradford County Development Authority Scott began by announcing five appointments to the Bradford County Development Authority. Patricia Evans, 42, of Starke, is community president of Bradford and Clay Counties for Capital City Bank. She fills a vacant seat and […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 21, 2015

Communications specialist Melissa Shuffield has joined All Aboard Florida as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. Shuffield, a Miami native, will lead communications and government affairs for the privately owned passenger rail project seeking to connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. She most recently worked in business development for Miami real-estate firm […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 20, 2015

George Cretekos will be seeking another term as Clearwater Mayor. To celebrate the launch of his re-election campaign, Cretekos, the city’s former vice-mayor who served on the City Council since 2007, announced a kick-off fundraising reception at the Sheraton Sand Key on Monday, September 28. Hosting the event are more than 100 local entrepreneurs, neighborhood leaders, and supporters. […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 20, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Republicans should not force government shutdown We have seen this bad movie before. Once again, the nation is days away from a federal government shutdown because some congressional Republicans would rather wage ideological warfare than act responsibly. And once again, it is […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 19, 2015

As fall arrives, so does two all-American traditions — football and politics. And with the 2016 presidential race in full swing, candidates are beginning to stake ground in both fields. On Saturday, Republican candidate Jeb Bush takes his White House ambitions to Athens, Georgia for the game between the Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs. […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 18, 2015

Presidential politics can be all fun and games; that is, until someone starts throwing punches. As Republicans gathered for a GOP leadership conference on Mackinac Island, Michigan, this weekend, a fight broke out a local bar between a campaign official for Rand Paul and a staffer for rival presidential candidate Marco Rubio. At one point […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 17, 2015

Bill Day’s latest takes aim at Florida lawmakers, who once again are pushing ahead with a bill that seeks to allow people to carry guns on college campuses. Backed by the National Rifle Association, the campus concealed carry bill – as well as another proposal – became the first measures passed by legislative committees in preparation […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 17, 2015

Two Palm Beach County municipalities are the latest to provide protections for all residents, including the LGBT community, from discrimination. The Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce coalition campaign manager Patrick Slevin on Thursday praised the Village of Wellington, Palm Beach County’s fifth largest municipality, and the Town of Lake Clarke Shores for efforts to protect the LGBT […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 17, 2015

For its newly launched Broward County office, lobbying firm Ballard Partners said Thursday it has hired government relations and fundraising expert Stephanie Grutman. Grutman brings more than 17 years of experience, which included being one of Politics Magazine’s most influential Democrats in Florida for 2009. She also spent four years as finance director of Senate […]

Phil Ammann

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Gov. Scott announces thirteen state board appointments

Personnel note: Melissa Shuffield joins All Aboard Florida as VP of Public Affairs

Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos to seek re-election, announces fundraiser kick-off

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

This fall, Jeb Bush bridges two great American institutions: politics and football

Marco Rubio staffer takes swing at Rand Paul aide at bar before Michigan GOP summit

Bill Day’s latest: Florida battles (again) over guns on campus

2 Florida municipalities praised for passing new anti-discrimination protections

Personnel note: Stephanie Grutman joins Ballard Partners’ new Broward office