Ryan Ray, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report titled “A […]

Ryan RayFebruary 17, 2016

After nearly an hour of at times emotional debate on Wednesday, a Senate budget panel approved a controversial proposal to prohibit public funds from going to any facility that provides abortions. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services passed SB 1722 by a party-line vote Wednesday morning, with the eight-member panel’s three Democrats voting in […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2016

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday heard a workshop about changes to the state’s managed-care plans as they relate to pharmacists. The state Agency for Health Care Administration’s Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Justin Senior said the current plan works just fine, with providers abiding by strict time and distance standards: the maximum time from a pharmacy […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2016

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday gave the nod to state Surgeon General John Armstrong. Members granted him confirmation to extend his tenure as head of the state’s health care apparatus, but just barely by a 5-4 vote Armstrong has been under heightened scrutiny in Tallahassee because of recent public failures in the state’s health […]

Ryan RayFebruary 15, 2016

Amid a political firestorm surrounding the nomination process to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson floated a modest proposal: appoint fellow liberal populist Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Grayson’s campaign released a statement Monday afternoon saying Warren would be an ideal candidate to shake up the high court’s delicate balance, wherein four conservatives have […]

Ryan RayFebruary 12, 2016

Ramon Alexander continued to lead the way in the race to succeed term-limited Rep. Alan Williams in House District 8 this past month. The former Florida A&M student body president and nonprofit leader brought in $5,525, taking his total to $125,527 for the 2016 cycle. State worker and 2014 HD 8 candidate Dianne Williams-Cox brought in $2,980, while former […]

Ryan RayFebruary 11, 2016

A handful of students from a private school in Osceola County visited Tallahassee Thursday to drop by the offices of Florida’s largest teachers’ union to deliver a message on behalf of adults in the school choice movement: “Drop the suit.” Specifically, they referred to the suit filed by the Florida Education Association and other groups against the state […]

Ryan RayFebruary 9, 2016

The House Regulatory Affairs Committee approved a trio of bills that could reshape Florida’s gaming industry, mainly by ratifying a newly renegotiated compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and by separating pari-mutuel racing from the card games which have come to dominate those facilities. A panel passed all three bills sponsored by its Chairman […]

Ryan RayFebruary 8, 2016

A bill to prohibit gender- and sexuality-based workplace discrimination died momentarily in a Senate panel, before being revived by legislative maneuvering. Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee was likely the most controversial of the 2016, in both form and in substance. Senators took up SB 120, a bill supporters are calling the “Competitive Workforce Act,” […]

Ryan RayFebruary 5, 2016

A bill to require the use of body cameras for Florida law enforcement officers is ready for a vote before the full House after getting final approval in a committee. The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 93 by Rep. Shevrin Jones by a unanimous vote Thursday. Jones, a Broward Democrat, said his bill would provide comprehensive protections for both citizens […]

Ryan Ray
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives

Senate panel advances bill to defund abortion providers

Small pharmacies oppose efforts to tighten managed-care networks

Senate panel narrowly votes to confirm Scott admin Surgeon General

Alan Grayson to Barack Obama: Nominate Elizabeth Warren to Supreme Court

Ramon Alexander continues to lead fundraising in HD 8

Scholarship students urge teachers’ union to drop tax credit suit

House panel approves raft of gaming bills

Anti-LGBT discrimination bill on life support after contentious vote

Body cameras bill poised for House vote