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

Ryan RayJune 16, 2015

At a final budget conference meeting that began at the tender hour of 11:05 p.m. and ran until nearly midnight, state budget writers failed to fully address new state funding for hospitals — the primary impetus for the June special Session to begin with. But they did find time to load up the budget with […]

Ryan RayJune 12, 2015

As legislative budget chairs powwow to finalize the budget, unresolved items in the state’s general government budget silo have left the door open for a move by holders of a large state contract to tip the scales in favor of its renewal down the road. A state panel under the Department of Management Services recommended a […]

Ryan RayJune 11, 2015

Thursday morning the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee ruled that the state’s “communications services tax” — currently undergoing revision in the Legislature’s budget talks — is unconstitutional. Judge L. Clayton Roberts, writing for the majority in a 20-page opinion, ruled that the CST contravenes state law because it unfairly favors cable providers in […]

Ryan RayJune 10, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signed into law HB 633, which creates a new 24-hour waiting period after a woman requests an abortion from a medical provider before the procedure can be administered. There was controversy over whether or not Scott would approve the law, as well as an organized effort to defeat it in the legislative […]

Ryan RayJune 9, 2015

The American Cancer Society’s affiliated Cancer Action Network issued a statement Tuesday that the omission in the current Health & Human Services conference budget proposals of a line item for the “Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program” threatens the lives of low-income Florida women who depend on public funds for screening programs. Here’s ACS […]

Ryan RayJune 9, 2015

In a revision issued less than 2 1/2 hours before the meeting is to take place, the office of Gov. Rick Scott released an amended daily schedule that includes a 3 p.m. Tuesday meeting with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, a defendant in a lawsuit Scott filed last year in the latest episode of Florida’s decades-long “water […]

Ryan RayJune 9, 2015

The presiding officers of the Legislature’s two chambers, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, made a show of unity Tuesday after a turbulent beginning to 2015 Special Session A. They issuing a joint statement early Tuesday afternoon saying they will allow budget conference subchairs to continue to work out their differences rather than have leadership […]

Ryan RayJune 9, 2015

On Tuesday, the Department of Management Services’ Joint Task Force on State Agency Law Enforcement Communications once again discussed a business case from January that recommends a competitive bidding process to achieve the adoption of a suite of “P25” radio standards. As the state looks to upgrade its outmoded, analog law enforcement radio system the […]

Ryan RayJune 9, 2015

Daniel Silvers collected more money than any other Democratic challenger during a 2014 cycle that was difficult for House Dems, raising some $286,000 in a five-point loss to Republican Rep. Bill Hager in District 89, based in coastal Palm Beach County. He’ll likely need to keep it up in 2016 as he jumps into a race in […]

Ryan RayJune 8, 2015

A day after Transportation & Economic Development budget conference chair Sen. Jack Latvala touted his open, public approach to dealmaking with the House, things got testy at a Monday morning meeting as budget offers grew further apart and the conversation was brought to an abrupt end. Committee vice chair Rep. Clay Ingram, like Latvala a Republican, began […]

Ryan Ray
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

In last-minute budget talks, lawmakers add some $300+ million in new spending in dark of night

“Back-door extension” of state radios contract at issue in budget talks

Appellate court rules state communications tax unconstitutional

Gov. Rick Scott signs new 24-hour barrier to abortions into law

American Cancer Society’s influence arm says Legislature’s health cuts put women at risk

Rick Scott’s agenda amended to include meeting with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal

Andy Gardiner, Steve Crisafulli agree in joint statement to extend budget conference

State task force considers competitive procurement process for law enforcement radios

Democrat Daniel Silvers gears up for a 2016 run, this time in HD 89

From horse trading to horse whipping: budget talks break down over economic incentives