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

Ryan RayFebruary 5, 2016

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump plans a campaign event at the USF Sun Dome on Feb. 12, sources inside the campaign and at the university tell FloridaPolitics.com. The event will come just days after what will likely be Trump’s first victory of the 2016 GOP nominating contest. The New York real estate mogul and political […]

Ryan RayFebruary 4, 2016

A key Senate panel narrowly passed a proposal to effectively end the use of red light cameras around the state of Florida on Thursday. The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill by a 4-3 party-line vote. Bill sponsor St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes, who also chairs the panel, said the bill simply reflects the public policy reality […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2016

About 200 supporters and onlookers joined with Gov. Rick Scott to urge lawmakers to pass the governor’s priorities, including a tax cut and more spending for business incentives. Supporters, including a few dozen casino employees who took a field trip to Tallahassee Wednesday the casino workers stood on as Scott said his administration’s regime of low taxes […]

Ryan RayFebruary 2, 2016

The House advanced a controversial proposal designed to stop Florida cities and counties from shielding undocumented immigrants from federal immigration laws. HB 675 by Rep. Larry Metz would create potential penalties and fines for local governments that don’t comply with detainers from the Immigration and Customs Service, or otherwise fail to act when they suspect illegal aliens are […]

Ryan RayFebruary 2, 2016

A week after Florida State University finally settled the legal matter surrounding its handling of allegations against Jameis Winston, the school’s annual FSU Day at the state Capitol went on as usual on a dreary Tuesday afternoon. FSU President John Thrasher gave the benediction amid spirited brass and fanfare, keeping his remarks short and sticking mostly to athletics. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 1, 2016

The Senate Health Policy committee narrowly approved pair of closely watched health care bills Monday afternoon, auguring much more debate still to come about the proposals. Bills to weaken the state’s “certificates of need” regime for hospital licensing, and to shield patients from a medical collections practice known as “balance billing” passed by votes of […]

Ryan RayJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate approved a bill Thursday to allow Floridians to break into a vehicle in order to rescue distressed people or animals left unattended. The upper chamber passed the proposal 38-0, a day after the House gave its unanimous approval too. The bill — HB 131 by Republican Rep. Dana Young — now moves on to […]

Ryan RayJanuary 27, 2016

Broward Democratic state Rep. Shevrin “Shev” Jones has been picked as State Director for the Network of Young Elected Leaders, a group affiliated with People For the American Way. Jones, 32, was elected in a vote late last year and will help direct the group’s advocacy and organization efforts, which focus on social justice and progressive economic issues. “I […]

Ryan RayJanuary 27, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott hewed to his usual job-growth message Wednesday afternoon in an appearance on CNN’s “Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin.” The interview was part of a swing through Washington D.C. this week to network with Republican leaders and address national media. Scott said it was “still early” when asked whether he would publicly endorse GOP presidential […]

Ryan RayJanuary 27, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott hewed to his usual job-growth message Thursday afternoon in an appearance on CNN’s Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin. The interview is part of a swing through Washington D.C. this week to network with Republican leaders and address national media. Scott said it was “still early” when asked if he would publicly endorse GOP presidential […]

Ryan Ray
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Donald Trump to campaign in Tampa Feb. 12

Senate panel passes red light camera preemption 4-3

Rick Scott rallies for jobs amid Session

House tees up bill to stop “sanctuary” cities

John Thrasher addresses the faithful at FSU Day

Senate health care panel narrowly advances CON, balance billing changes

Good Samaritan vehicle-rescue bill gets final OK from lawmakers

Shevrin Jones picked as state director of Young Elected Leaders group

Rick Scott still won’t commit to Donald Trump endorsement

Rick Scott on CNN: still too early to endorse in 2016