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

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2015

The Florida Association of School Administrators — a major plaintiff and arguably the least overtly political — has pulled out of a lawsuit challenging the legality of Florida’s corporate tax credit scholarship program. “Following a full review of priorities, the Board made the decision to focus resources on FASA’s main objective – to ensure that […]

Ryan RayMarch 28, 2015

The long tail of John Thrasher‘s decision to leave the state Senate to assume the presidency of Florida State University will come to an end on April 7, when special elections to fill the legislative vacancies left in his wake are held. Early voting in three statehouse special elections began this weekend and ends Saturday, […]

Ryan RayMarch 27, 2015

In what is shaping up to be an expensive battle to succeed former Senate President Gwen Margolis in District 35, Andrew Korge is starting his campaign with a fundraiser with an impressive roster of supporters. They include major Democratic contributors and elected officials from across Miami-Dade. Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell, South Miami Mayor Phillip […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ride-sharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

Gwen Graham today continued to stake out middle ground in Congress, issuing a statement on her opposition to the 2015 House budget, which passed early Wednesday evening. “We need a budget that reflects America’s values, not partisan principles. We need a budget that strengthens Medicare and Social Security,” Graham said in an announcement released shortly following […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ridesharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

With the compasses of most statehouse watchers fixed north as the 2015 Legislative session takes over Tallahassee, a pair of Democrats set their sites this week on House seats in Broward and Miami-Dade, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Roxanne Valies of Tamarac in heavily-Democratic District 95 has filed to succeed term-limited Rep. Hazelle […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2015

The Florida Credit Union Association today announced the recipient of their 2014 best-legislator award: House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. “Today, we recognize Speaker Crisafulli as our 2014 Lawmaker of the Year and thank him for his support of the Florida Credit Union Association,” said Patrick La Pine, the group’s president and CEO in a statement on Tuesday. “Speaker Crisafulli […]

Ryan Ray

Key plaintiff pulls out of charter schools lawsuit

Early voting in NE Florida special elections has begun

Andrew Korge starting state Senate campaign with pol-studded fundraiser

Tallahassee City Commission defers action on Uber

Gwen Graham calls for more moderate U.S. House budget

Tallahassee City Commission defers action on Uber

Roxanne Valies, Robert Asencio gear up for South Florida House runs in 2016

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for “inevitable” Uber, as cabbies picket

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for "inevitable" Uber, as cabbies picket

Florida credit unions name Steve Crisafulli 2014 ‘Lawmaker of the Year’