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Ryan Ray - page 88

Ryan Ray has 632 articles published.

Ryan Ray writes about campaigns and public policy in Tampa Bay and across the state. A contributor to FloridaPolitics.com and before that, The Florida Squeeze, he covers the Legislature as a member of the Florida Capitol Press Corps and has worked as a staffer on several campaigns. He can be reached at [email protected].

2015 Legislative Session Preview: Dogfight breaking out over jet fuel sales tax exemption

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Editor’s Note: As the 2015 Legislative Session approaches, FloridaPolitics.com is reporting on several “legislative food fights” likely to break out during the annual lawmaking period. These food fights don’t always make the front page of the Tampa Bay Times, but they are the kind of industry vs. industry or intra-industry turfbattles that drive Tallahassee — and expand the economics for state lobbyists. One focused on an expected scrum between Big Tobacco and trial lawyers. Today’s installment is about a tax exemption on jet fuel…

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Irma effect on tourism mixed

Florida could recover from Hurricane Irma’s wrath in time for its busy tourism season this winter, but that’s likely not

2015 Legislative Session Preview: Will Airbnb make itself at home in Florida?

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What does it mean to own property? Are app-based lodging and transportation services showing the way toward an enlightened age of the Sharing Economy or simply enabling a kindler, gentler gentrification? Can I crash at your parents’ house in Boca for 70 bucks a night? As Airbnb expands its presence in Florida, such are the stakes in the looming fracas over short term rentals. Since 2008 Airbnb has hosted listings for individuals with spare rooms — or even, controversially, spare residences — to rent…

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Gray Swoope joins Gov. Haley Barbour at VisionFirst Advisors, LLC

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Former Enterprise Florida CEO and de facto Scott administration jobs czar Gray Swoope penned a farewell letter on Friday, marking the final chapter of his transition from the public-private sector to the private sector. After expressing his gratitude to the likes of Gov. Rick Scott and EFI Vice Chair Alan Becker, Swoope included an interesting detail at the missive’s very end: his new contact information at the Tallahassee office of Ridgeland, Mississippi-based lobbying firm VisionFirst Advisors, LCC. Listed among the firm’s title holders in a filing with…

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Associated Industries of Florida to host annual pre-Session blowout Monday night

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Session starts on Tuesday, which means three things for Monday: the drink, drop and dash fundraising frenzy before the 60-day curtain falls; last minute roommate arrangements; and the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) pre-Session welcome back reception for legislators, staff and politicos, drawing easily 2,000 attendees each year. Tallahassee reaches full capacity during March and April, bringing some welcome energy to local businesses: Session generates an estimated $2 million per week in economic impact for the city a figure which could prospectively…

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Jack Latvala to pursue human trafficking legislation with House Dem Dave Kerner

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Clearwater Sen. Jack Latvala announced yesterday that he will seek passage of SB 534 a bill to increase reporting of human trafficking by expanding the public’s awareness of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. The proposal would mandate that the number be posted in all Florida transportation hubs and establishments near major roads, where employees and patrons are most likely encounter victims and perpetrators of trafficking. “Human trafficking is a sick, but profitable criminal enterprise that affects up to 300,000 children and…

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Known unknowns: Marco Rubio’s unanswerable dilemma

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If you believe the most recent rumblings, Marco Rubio has decided to take his chances and make a run for the White House, damn the torpedoes — and Jeb Bush. Though early polls have Bush and Scott Walker way out in front of him, recent history shows that an exciting, up-and-coming U.S. Senator with a hot hand can defy the odds and become the president, a fact Rubio has surely noted. But his analysis of those particular tea leaves may…

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Jeb Bush takes no prisoners — or wafflers

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The polygamy of 2012’s Republican presidential primary — where big-money donors hedged their bets as almost every candidate in the field took their turn as the frontrunner — will not be brooked by Jeb Bush in 2016. In fact, according to Michael Barbaro and Maggie Haberman in The New York Times, Jeb’s pitch to donors includes a caveat: if you’re on Team Bush early, you’ll be rewarded early. If not…: The prestigious consulting firm, known for its close ties to Gov. Rick…

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