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

Ryan RayApril 26, 2015

Cape Coral Rep. Dane Eagle says he’s steadily moving his 2015 legislative agenda through the House, amid a high volume of noise and conflict circling the Legislature in both chambers. “I am gratified by the support of my colleagues for this robust legislative agenda,” Eagle said in a prepared statement Friday . “These good measures […]

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

A pair of Pinellas County Republicans passed legislation this week that would create a new insurance product designed to keep down rising flood insurance rates, a crucial issue in the Tampa Bay Area they represent. SB 1094 by Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg was approved on the House floor today by a vote of […]

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

As is the case with so many other issues – not least of which is the $4 million budget chasm stemming from inter-cameral differences on hospital funding for indigent services – the House and Senate still seem to be quite a ways off from passing anything resembling a unified ride sharing bill to govern firms […]

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

Lawyer and publisher of our friendly rival SayfieReview.com, Justin Sayfie is better known on the Internet as a host for Florida news and opinion than an author of it. Friday morning, though, Sayfie stepped out and offered a strident opinion on the issue of a telecoms regulation bill that may restrict electronic freedom of expression. In […]

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

Titusville Rep. Tom Goodson from District 50 will not seek re-election there, and will instead opt to run for an adjacent House seat, freeing up Rep. Rene Plasencia to make a run at the Republican-oriented seat. The latest move in Central Florida legislative musical chairs was first reported by Frank Torres of the Orlando Political Observer and Jacob Engels of […]

Ryan RayApril 23, 2015

Boca Raton businessman Jospeh “J.B.” Bensmihen will give two-term U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel a general election challenge that his camp thinks has a serious shot in the Democratic-leaning district based in Palm Beach and Broward. Bensmihen’s candidacy was first reported by The Palm Beach Post‘s George Bennett. Bensmihen describes himself as a moderate Republican, and stresses […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

The House passed a bill to implement new procedures relating to suspects and other members of the public with diabetes Wednesday afternoon. The new law would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to create online continuing-education courses to teach officers about indicators of and appropriate precautions to take when dealing with a diabetic suspect. […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

President of the conservative National Black Chamber of Commerce Harry Alford has issued a letter taking a stand on behalf of his group against an emerging Florida ballot initiative that would ease restrictions against rooftop solar panels for homes and businesses. Alford teed off against the move, saying that while it appears to expand consumer choice and […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

AFP-FL, the Florida branch of the pro-industry group Americans for Prosperity, has taken to Florida television to make its case against a Senate plan to draw down federal Medicaid funding to expand coverage through the state under the program. “At some point, the Senate is going to have to recognize that Floridians do not want more […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road to this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 – which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” – […]

Ryan Ray
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing;s Javier Bermudez and Chad Fraser bring water to Helene victims in Bradenton. Image via Gold Coast.

Dane Eagle moves priorities through House

Flood insurance reform bill passes both legislative chambers

House Uber bill TP’d, resolution with Senate still uncertain

Justin Sayfie weighs in against Anitere Flores’ Internet disclosure bill

Rene Plasencia, Tom Goodson to shuffle House seats near Space Coast

Republican Joseph Bensmihen challenges Lois Frankel for U.S. House

House passes diabetes sensitivity training for Florida law enforcement

National black business group comes out against Florida solar ballot initiative

Americans for Prosperity airs ads opposing Medicaid expansion

Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate