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

Ryan RayAugust 24, 2015

Sen. Oscar Braynon penned a letter to Senate redistricting guru Jay Ferrin late last week requesting the creation of a redrawn Senate map similar to the congressional “base map” the Legislature used as a lodestar during Special Session B. Braynon said he hopes a proactive approach will avoid the time crunch that exacerbated lawmakers’ inability to come to an […]

Ryan RayAugust 20, 2015

Recently filed documents in Leon County Court as part of an ongoing legal challenge to the process unveiled a legislative underworld of lobbyists and consultants colluding with GOP lawmakers to help preserve the GOP’s 26-14 advantage and to protect incumbents. As recently reported by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald, and previous to the documents’ […]

Ryan RayAugust 20, 2015

Gretna City Commissioner Clarence Jackson announced Thursday via a theatrical campaign ad that he’s jumping into a now four-way race for an open seat in House District 8. The all-Democratic field seeks to succeed term-limited Rep. Alan Williams in HD 8, which takes in all of Gadsden County – the state’s only majority-minority county – and the southern […]

Ryan RayAugust 19, 2015

Palm Coast Sen. Travis Hutson filed a bill Wednesday that would create a separate, more severe class of penalties for Floridians who commit crimes while in the country illegally. Hutson’s bill — SB 150 — would enhance the penalties for crimes that fall under one of several statutory categories of violent crimes, if the offense is […]

Ryan RayAugust 19, 2015

After a tense summer for relations between the state’s judicial and legislative branches, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles McBurney says he will allow his panel to take up proposals to reform the Florida Supreme Court. As first reported by Jessica Bakeman of Politico Florida, McBurney said his committee should consider a broad range of possible reforms, though […]

Ryan RayAugust 19, 2015

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio issued a joint announcement Wednesday along with Illinois U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk addressed to the Secretary of State John Kerry, asking the nation’s top diplomat to release letters he sent to foreign officials regarding Iran sanctions as part of the recently proposed nuclear weapons deal. The statement imploring Kerry to release the correspondence seemed to […]

Ryan RayAugust 19, 2015

According to a new report released by the conservative James Madison Institute Wednesday, new federal regulations set to be implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency at month’s end could be a threat to the property rights of Floridians. The study, entitled “‘Waters of the U.S.’: A Case Study in Government Abuse” comes as the EPA prepares to enforce […]

Ryan RayAugust 19, 2015

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton unveiled a new 30-second ad Wednesday morning, titled “Reshuffle,” that will air in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Taking a cue from left-leaning challenger Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders — who has been surging in New Hampshire, taking the lead last week according to recent polling […]

Ryan RayAugust 18, 2015

The up and coming firm of Smith Bryan & Myers had themselves a healthy second quarter this year, a legislative year so far defined by lawmakers – and lobbyists – spending a lot more time in Tallahassee than anyone thought was likely when 2015 began. According to estimates based on recently submitted compensation reports, SBM […]

Ryan RayAugust 18, 2015

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The law firm of Metz Husband & Daughton was born in Tallahassee, and there it thrived last quarter, collecting an estimated $1.5 million in lobbying fees according to recently filed compensation reports. Looking at the firm’s report for the second quarter of 2015, which ran from April 1 and June 30, it’s not hard to […]

Ryan Ray
Michelin spotlights Miami's Sereia Portuguese seafood restaurant, one of six new eateries on the list.

Oscar Braynon wants Senate to get head start on remedial redistricting

Report: Shadow process plagued 2011 Senate redistricting

Gretna Commissioner Clarence Jackson files for 2016 House run in HD 8

Travis Hutson files bill to increase criminal penalties for undocumented Floridians

House judiciary panel will take up reforms to state high court

Marco Rubio to John Kerry: Release secret Iran deal letters

JMI study: EPA’s new ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule threatens to “micromanage” property owners

Hillary Clinton unveils new 30-second ad in Iowa, New Hampshire

Smith Bryan & Myers collects nearly $1 million in Q2 lobbying fees

Metz Husband & Daughton rakes in $1.5 million in Q2 lobbying fees