Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannAugust 2, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Pinellas should be flexible with resort tax With Pinellas tourism hitting record levels, it’s a good time for the county to raise the resort tax by an additional 1 percent. But when the County Commission takes up the issue Tuesday, it should […]

Phil AmmannJuly 31, 2015

New statewide polling shows Florida voters are ready to approve two possible constitutional amendments in 2016. One would be to legalize medical marijuana, even after the narrow loss of Amendment 2 last November. The other is raising Florida’s minimum wage to at least $10 per hour. In a survey conducted by St. Pete Polls, a proposed […]

Phil AmmannJuly 31, 2015

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson pledged to use “every possible procedural move” to prevent legislation opening areas off the Florida Gulf Coast to offshore drilling. In a letter to Senate leadership on Thursday, the Florida Democrat voiced his opposition to a vote by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which narrowly approved a GOP-backed offshore […]

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2015

Duke Energy is asking the Florida Public Service Commission for permission to issue $1.3 billion worth of a type of securitized bond, which will help reduce charges to consumers for shutting down the mothballed Crystal River nuclear plant. John Downey of the Charlotte Business Journal reports the request is for a new bond approved by […]

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2015

Seniors in the “oldest state in the nation” have joined a growing chorus of voices behind the consumer-friendly smart solar amendment to Florida’s Constitution. 60 Plus Association, a major senior advocacy group with chapters in Florida and Alabama, announced on Thursday its endorsement of the Smart Solar Amendment, an initiative seeking inclusion on Florida’s 2016 November […]

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2015

Florida’s leading association of home care providers has selected state Rep. Ray Rodrigues as its 2015 Legislator of the Year. Each year, the Home Care Association of Florida honors an individual lawmaker that “exhibited energy, dedication and steadfast leadership” for the state’s home care providers and patients. The 2015 award was presented to Rodrigues, an […]

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2015

The GOP is positioning itself in the Sunshine State, as the Republican National Committee fills a trio of top Florida positions ahead of 2016. The Tampa Bay Times reports the RNC announced on Thursday Brian Barrett as new state director; Alex Garcia becomes deputy state director and will lead Hispanic initiatives. Ben Shankle will head data direction. “The […]

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2015

Conservative state Rep. Dennis Baxley received a pair of endorsements Wednesday in his bid for Florida Senate District 5. Throwing support behind Baxley are Levy County Schools Superintendent Robert Hastings and Gilchrist County Commissioner D. Ray Harrison Jr. “In our little country church, we constantly pray for good, righteous, leaders who honor our Constitution and […]

Phil AmmannJuly 29, 2015

Veteran communications consultant Tami Torres-Fillyaw has joined the Tallahassee-based Wilson & Associates as new vice president of Marketing and Communications. Wilson & Associates, established in 2004, is a lobbying and association management firm specializing in energy, construction, infrastructure, and defense industries. Fillyaw has been with the firm for the past six months as a consultant […]

Phil AmmannJuly 29, 2015

Panama City Republican Neal Dunn has filed for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, ensuring there will a GOP primary in 2016. Dunn is the Panhandle urologist who will face newcomer Mary Thomas, the general counsel for Gov. Rick Scott’s Department of Elder Affairs, in next year’s Republican primary. The winner will seek to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Gwen […]

Phil Ammann
Trevor Lawrence completed eight of 10 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown Sunday.

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Survey finds most Florida voters support medical marijuana, raising minimum wage to at least $10

Bill Nelson vows to block Senate bill allowing oil drilling off Florida Gulf Coast

Duke Energy applies for $1.3B in bonds to cut Crystal River costs

Major senior organization lines up behind Florida’s Smart Solar Amendment

Ray Rodrigues named Home Health Care Legislator of the Year

RNC selects 3 top Florida staff members

Dennis Baxley adds 2 endorsements in State Senate District 5 bid

Personnel note: Tami Torres-Fillyaw joins Wilson & Associates as new communications VP

Neal Dunn files in Florida 2nd Congressional District, guarantees GOP primary