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

Ryan RayMarch 13, 2015

First there were bath salts, then K2 and now… there’s kratom. Some Thai officials swear by it, the Drug Enforcement agency lists it as a “drug of concern” and the bipartisan duo of Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers and Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs of Coconut Creek are trying to outright ban it in Florida. With the first […]

Ryan RayMarch 13, 2015

First there were bath salts, then K2 and now… there’s kratom. Some Thai officials swear by it, the Drug Enforcement agency lists it as a “drug of concern” and the bipartisan duo of Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers and Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs of Coconut Creek are trying to outright ban it in Florida. With the first […]

Ryan RayMarch 12, 2015

Meredith O’Rourke, chief fundraiser for Gov. Rick Scott, is set to join the growing America Leads political committee as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his allies staff up for a 2016 White House bid. There the well-thought-of O’Rourke will join the likes of longtime GOP staffers such as former Republican Governors Association executive director Phil Cox, who will lead the super PAC, […]

Ryan RayMarch 12, 2015

Meredith O’Rourke, chief fundraiser for Gov. Rick Scott, is set to join the growing America Leads political committee as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his allies staff up for a 2016 White House bid. There the well-thought-of O’Rourke will join the likes of longtime GOP staffers such as former Republican Governors Association executive director Phil Cox, who will lead the super PAC, […]

Ryan RayMarch 12, 2015

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers Association has announced they will celebrate “Sunshine Week,” a nationwide initiative dedicated to open government and access, as well as educating people on the importance of the business of government. “Transparency in government is at the core of every Clerk’s office throughout the state,” Joseph E. Smith, FCCC president and Clerk […]

Ryan RayMarch 12, 2015

As reported this week in Florida Politics, Pete Antonacci — former general counsel for Gov. Rick Scott — is back in the influence business at his former firm GrayRobinson. Last week, Antonacci’s roster of clients were relatively inoffensive, but not so as of Thursday with the registration of his fourth client. Antonacci has signed up private prison giant Corizon, a company […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2015

A smoldering battle in the Florida Legislature over the manner in which four major tobacco companies will have to pay up to more than 4,000 claimants has taken an early step towards its climax: Bills by Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. David Santiago have escaped the Session slush pile and been referred to committees in both […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2015

A bill pushing back Florida’s presidential primaries from March 1 to March 15 — the Ides of March — passed the Florida House on Wednesday afternoon by a 114-0 vote. The proposal, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Ritch Workman, allows Florida Republicans to award all primary delegates to the winner of that state’s primary. New national […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

Ryan RayMarch 9, 2015

Rick Wilson‘s reputation is that of somebody who minces no words. The Clintons, on the other hand, inhabit an elite echelon of world-historical prevaricators. In that spirit, Wilson served up a stiff dose of what he really thinks about the Hillary Clinton email ‘scandal,’ such as it is, in Sunday’s POLITICO – along with some pointed thoughts on […]

Ryan Ray
Image via AP.

Kristin Jacobs undeterred in effort to regulate “scourge” of kratom

Kristin Jacobs undeterred in effort to regulate "scourge" of kratom

Chris Christie lands top Florida fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke

Chris Christie lands top Florida fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke

Florida Clerks Association to promote Sunshine Week

Pete Antonacci locks up controversial lobbying client

Bills to alter tobacco settlements achieve footing in process

Bill to push back presidential primaries passes state House

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel

Rick Wilson in Politico: Let Hillary do the talking