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

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 RayMarch 24, 2015

Rep. Bryan Avila faced pointed scrutiny in the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, as he shepherded a bill that would circumscribe the way cities and local governments can use red-light cameras to detect traffic infractions at intersections. HB 7071 seeks to limit the amount of infraction-based revenue cities get to spend on […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2015

The Florida Justice Association put out an advisory warning that Tuesday’s legislative action could include an “anti-consumer onslaught,” as bills on the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement agreement, medical malpractice litigation and insurance company misconduct are all taken up in committee. “These pieces of legislation all have the direct effect of benefiting narrow industries at the expense of […]

Ryan RayMarch 24, 2015

The Florida Justice Association put out an advisory warning that Tuesday’s legislative action could include an “anti-consumer onslaught,” as bills on the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement agreement, medical malpractice litigation and insurance company misconduct are all taken up in committee. “These pieces of legislation all have the direct effect of benefiting narrow industries at the expense of […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ SB 934, which preempts local governments from creating labor agreements with contractors containing certain wage, residency or diversity requirements, found an unlikely “No” vote in Senate Community Affairs this afternoon: Brandes himself. The vote was part of a legislative maneuver undertaken by Brandes to bring his bill back from the dead. After […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

A bill creating insurance requirements for short-term rental and transportation network companies — bywords for industry leaders Airbnb and Uber, respectively — passed the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee Monday afternoon, though not without an airing of grievances about some practices within the “disruptive” ride-sharing business. Altamonte Sen. David Simmons, an influential member of the Republican majority […]

Ryan RayMarch 19, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed legislation that will move Florida’s 2016 presidential primaries back two weeks, from March 1 to March 15. Scott’s approval of HB 7035, shepherded by Melbourne Republican Rep. Ritch Workman and Sen. Garrett Richter, a Republican of Naples, in their respective legislative chambers, puts Florida in position to take advantage of new […]

Ryan RayMarch 19, 2015

Attorney Erin Grall has announced that prominent Republican lawmaker Sen. Joe Negron has endorsed her candidacy for House District 54. “It is very exciting to launch our campaign with the endorsement of Senator Negron,” said Grall in a Thursday statement. “It is truly an honor to earn the endorsement of a public servant we know so well […]

Ryan RayMarch 18, 2015

As rumors of a possible Senate run simmer in the background, Sarasota Congressman Vern Buchanan takes a step up the U.S. House ladder, assuming a seat on the Budget Committee on Wednesday. “As a businessman for over 30 years, I know what it means to balance a budget and meet a payroll,” said Buchanan in an announcement. “I […]

Ryan RayMarch 18, 2015

The rumors have flown about Senate District 35 for almost a year now — will former Senate President Gwen Margolis of Miami Beach call it quits before she terms out? Does she have a deal with Andrew Korge? Is Miami Beach Democratic Rep. David Richardson trying to push the dean of the Senate out of her seat by talking up […]

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Florida credit unions name Steve Crisafulli 2014 'Lawmaker of the Year'

House red-light camera bill rolls through committee stop

Florida Justice Association braces consumers for “trifecta of terrible” on Tuesday

Florida Justice Association braces consumers for "trifecta of terrible" on Tuesday

Local government labor contracts bill narrowly cheats death

Uber, Airbnb insurance requirements OK’d by Senate panel

Rick Scott signs presidential primary date push-back into law

Erin Grall announces Joe Negron support for her House race

Vern Buchanan named to House Budget Committee

Andrew Korge files for 2020 state Senate run; South Florida dominos set to fall