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

Ryan RayApril 10, 2015

A group of about 60 protestors marched from Florida State University to the Capitol Thursday evening in a show of force against recent Ku Klux Klan-related activity in Tallahassee. The event, organized by Students for a Democratic Society, culminated in the burning of a Confederate flag near the steps of the Old Capitol building. Referring to […]

Ryan RayApril 9, 2015

In what might be the culmination of a years-long effort to pass legislation to regulate the growing cottage industry of private halfway houses for addicts known as “sober homes,” Rep. Bill Hager has successfully shepherded his HB 21 toward passage in the House by a vote of 113-2. “Dating back to my service on the Boca Raton City […]

Ryan RayApril 9, 2015

A bill to prohibit the sale of powdered alcohol — known as Palcohol — before it has even arrived in Florida retailers passed another test in the Senate on Thursday. The ban was unanimously approved the Rules Committee. Sen. Gwen Margolis’ SB 998 now awaits a vote by the full Senate. Brandon Sen. Tom Lee spoke for many […]

Ryan RayApril 8, 2015

As debate over a bill to protect “religious conscience” — the upshot of which is to prevent gay couples from adopting children — raged for hours Wednesday afternoon on the floor of the House, another battle in the Capitol was just beginning: one that might cost staunch social conservative Rep. Eric Eisnaugle the 2021-22 House […]

Ryan RayApril 8, 2015

Former Coconut Creek City Commissioner and former state Rep. Jim Waldman has kicked in $200,00 of his own money to his bid to succeed Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring in the state Senate, according to recent filings with the Division of Elections. Waldman is putting his money where his mouth is with a substantial personal investment in taking over for the […]

Ryan RayApril 8, 2015

When House Majority Leader Dana Young of Tampa filed her new, somewhat less provocative House gambling proposal, a careful observer could already hear the gears turning in the Senate. Though Young originally called her sprawling original plan merely a “work in progress,” it ruffled more than a few feathers upon its release. The anti-gambling group No Casinos immediately came […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

Rep. Travis Hutson prevailed big time Tuesday in his bid to jump up to the Legislature’s upper chamber, defeating Democratic nominee Adam Cox by a margin of about 2-to-1 with nearly all precincts reporting. Hutson will be District 6 senator-elect on Wednesday. Down the ballot, the battle to replace Hutson — who in turn is resigning from the House […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

As she portrayed her SB 840 as a mostly technical bill that simply clears up a legal conflict currently circulating in the courts, Sen. Eleanor Sobel probably was not prepared for the maelstrom of criticism from both parties that befell her effort. Following an easy and perfunctory confirmation process for a score of various agency officials — a process that […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

One of several bills making tweaks to Florida’s austere prohibition on gifts, Sen. Oscar Braynon‘s SB 984 was granted an easy passage Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Governmental Oversight & Accountability Committee. The proposal — which would allow public entities to let candidates and officials use public property such as city halls and conference rooms without […]

Ryan RayApril 6, 2015

Sources close to Palm Beach U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s camp confirm to Florida Politics that Bob Buckhorn will endorse Murphy’s bid to run for the U.S. Senate seat, which likely will be left vacant as Marco Rubio moves toward a run for president. Buckhorn and Murphy will address the press and public at downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park […]

Ryan Ray

Anti-Klan activists march, burn Confederate flag in front of Old Capitol

Sober homes certification bill passes House

Gwen Margolis’ Palcohol ban progresses in Senate

Could Eric Eisnaugle’s speakership be casualty of House gay adoption fight?

Jim Waldman lends himself $200k to jump start campaign

As Dana Young pushes reworked House gaming plan, senators file amendments

Republicans sweep NE Florida House, Senate special elections

Write-in residency requirements bill goes down in bipartisan flames

Lobbyist gift ban exemption passes swiftly in Senate panel

Bob Buckhorn to endorse Patrick Murphy for U.S. Senate