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

Ryan RayNovember 20, 2015

A pair of Republican lawmakers will seek approval for a new cabinet-level commissioner of education during the 2016 Legislative Session, reversing the office’s demotion to an appointed position in 2003. The proposals — SB 942 by Sen. Rene Garcia of Miami and HB 767 by Rep. Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach — would require a constitutional amendment to reinstate the education commissioner as one […]

Ryan RayNovember 20, 2015

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy joined officials with the Army Corps of Engineers to hail the start of construction on a major project to build a new 3,400-acre reservoir to help relieve pressure on the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River. Murphy attended a ceremony in Stuart Friday morning, where federal, state and local officials broke ground on the C-44 Reservoir, […]

Ryan RayNovember 19, 2015

Florida’s congressional delegation split on the “SAFE Act”‘s Thursday afternoon vote. The measure calls for a halt on accepting any more Syrian refugees until vetting procedures are made more stringent. The vote came after Gov. Rick Scott joined a national push by mostly Republican fellow governors in telling federal authorities they wouldn’t allow refugees displaced from […]

Ryan RayNovember 19, 2015

An environmental activist group has filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking a challenge to an air emissions permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to the U.S. Sugar Corp. Attorneys for Earthjustice filed the complaint Thursday, which seeks to include cane burning as part of DEP’s purview when issuing air […]

Ryan RayNovember 19, 2015

The Senate Committee on Transportation approved a bill to rejigger representation within the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and tighten ethics rules within the quasi-governmental body. The transportation panel approved SB 574, sponsored by Miami Sen. Anitere Flores, by a vote of 6-0. Toll increases and disclosure problems with the expressway authority, known locally and in legislative parlance as MDX, precipitated […]

Ryan RayNovember 18, 2015

A House budget panel on agriculture and the environment passed an expansive water policy bill by Rep. Matt Caldwell Wednesday afternoon. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Committee approved HB 7005 by a vote of 11 to 1, with Democratic Rep. José Javier Rodríguez opposing. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection has signaled its approval for the bill, as did a number […]

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana passed its first committee stop in the Senate on Tuesday, hours after a House panel OK’d a similar bill. Debate focused on eliminating roadblocks to care amid nearly two years of delays since a bill to allow low-THC cannabis derivatives was enacted in 2014. […]

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

Infamous former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff spoke in the state capital Tuesday morning, as he joined forces with fellow conservatives in support of lobbying and ethics reforms. Abramoff’s appearance came amid a heated battle between utilities and environmentalist groups over a pair of solar energy amendments set to appear on Florida ballots in 2016. Abramoff, who pled […]

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow dying patients to use medical marijuana as a palliative treatment passed its first hurdle in the House Tuesday morning. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved House Bill 307 by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Democratic prime co-sponsor Rep. Katie Edwards by a vote of 9-4. Panel chair Rep. Carlos Trujillo was among the four Republicans voting ‘No.’ The […]

Ryan RayNovember 16, 2015

The team at Anfield Consulting earned an estimated total of $500,000 between July and September, according to recently submitted compensation reports. The firm’s highest-compensating clients include Parsons Brinckerhoff, which contributed between $30,000 and $39,999 for legislative representation, along with Florida Crystals and Thriller Tours, which both spent an estimated $25,000 for legislative work. Several municipalities were […]

Ryan Ray
Minorities worry about returning to scene of California fires. Image via The Associated Press.

GOP lawmakers want elected education commissioner back on Florida Cabinet

Patrick Murphy heralds new reservoir for ailing Indian River Lagoon

Florida delegation breaks 19-8 in favor of House SAFE Act to block refugees; 2 Dems defect

U.S. Sugar calls recent EPA cane burning complaint “baseless”

Senate transportation panel OKs tweaks to Miami expressway authority

Long-awaited water policy bill passes House committee

“Right to Try” expansion bill adding medical marijuana passes Senate panel

Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff comes to Tallahassee to decry big money in solar fight

Expanded medical marijuana regime bill passes House panel

Anfield Consulting earns impressive $500K in Q3 lobbying revenue