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

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

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The Florida H2O Coalition – a water policy vehicle backed by Associated Industries of Florida – applauded today’s action by the Florida House of Representatives to pass HB 7003, a sprawling piece of water legislation aimed at protecting ecologically sensitive waterways. “Today, the Florida House took a giant step forward in adopting a policy that will […]

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

Despite difficult economic times over the last few years and an obstinate stance against Medicaid expansion among the Florida House majority, you might expect safety-net hospitals to struggle to turn a profit. Not so, according to Phil Galewitz in Kaiser Health News: So-called safety-net hospitals, many of which are supported by local or county taxpayers, often […]

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

A slate of proposals to create a new statewide framework for assisting people with intellectual disabilities made progress in both chambers of the Legislature Wednesday. SB 7030 and HB 935, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Ray Rodrigues respectively were unanimously passed by House Children, Families & Seniors and Senate Education Appropriations. “Establishing the Florida ABLE Act is […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A matching pair of proposals that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed committees in both legislative chambers on Wednesday. First up was Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen‘s HB 493, which passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9 to 2, with Democratic Reps. Clovis Watson and Randolph Bracy dissenting. […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A new poll released Wednesday by the Florida Chamber of Commerce suggests that although voters are growing more confident of the direction the state is going, they still have deep reservations about the federal government’s stewardship. “Our results show Floridians are more confident in Florida’s economy,” said Marian Johnson, the Chamber’s senior vice president of political strategy. […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

Two proposed committee bills to move back the date of Florida’s presidential primaries have sailed through legislative committees in as many days. The House version of the proposal, PCB RCEC 15-05, was introduced and approved in the House Rules Calendar & Ethics Committee without questions or debate in under three minutes on Monday, resulting in […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — a group with outsized importance in this state’s tourism-reliant economy — issued a statement Tuesday excoriating the proposal released Monday by House Majority Leader Dana Young. “We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — a group with outsized importance in this state’s tourism-reliant economy — issued a statement Tuesday excoriating the proposal released Monday by House Majority Leader Dana Young. “We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

In keeping with the tone set by the Weatherford-Gaetz style of legislative leadership, Senate President Andy Gardiner passed a bill on the first day of Session. SB 2, the Vicky Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act sponsored by Democratic Sen. Eleanor Sobel of Hollywood, was approved by the full Senate Tuesday. “Racing greyhounds are prone to injuries, which can […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

Collier County businessmann Byron Donalds has filed to run for a Southwest Florida House seat, according to the Florida Division of Elections. The District 80 seat eyed by Donalds is set to be vacated by House Speaker Pro Tempore Matt Hudson, who faces term limits in 2016. Hudson in turn is running for the Senate seat of […]

Ryan Ray
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AIF group lauds passage of Florida House water bill

Health care expansion or not, safety net hospitals fared well in 2014

Florida ABLE act moves swiftly through House, Senate panels

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

Florida Chamber poll shows voters bullish on state government, less so on feds

Bills to move back presidential primaries zoom through committee

Florida restaurant, hotel lobby blasts Dana Young’s new gaming bill

Florida restaurant, hotel lobby blasts Dana Young's new gaming bill

Senate unanimously passes greyhound injury reporting bill on opening day

Byron Donalds files to run in state House District 80