Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A South Florida man seeking to operate a nonprofit “alternative sexuality … social club” is now asking state regulators for permission to make the venue a “bottle club.”
Anthony Masso of Boca Raton filed his request this week with the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) in Tallahassee.
Bottle clubs don’t sell alcohol but allow people to bring their own booze to consume on the premises, while often selling mixers and snacks.
The club, to be located in Pompano Beach, is under review by city zoning officials there. They asked Masso to get an opinion from ABT on what kind of liquor license he needs, if any, according to his filing.
That “directly affects the hours that his social club may operate under the existing municipal code,” the filing says. “The city has indicated that it is unable to determine whether its ‘hours of operation’ ordinance will apply….”
Masso says the only relevant license he could find is a “14BC license,” but that applies only to “commercial establishments operated for profit,” his filing adds.
Evening Reads
“Ron DeSantis to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu while in Israel next week” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
“Matt Gaetz delivers impassioned foreign policy speech: ‘America First means the people first’” via Kristina Wong of Breitbart
“New tax law expected to save Floridians millions” via Blaise Gainey of WUSF
“Most statehouse Dems get failing grades from big business lobby – and they don’t mind” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
“As hurricane season looms, Mexico Beach idles at a crossroads, still broken from Michael” via Zach Sampson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Hurricane season and summer are back. Some Florida beach towns aren’t.” via Matt Kempner of the Atlanta Journal Constitution
“Mike Huckabee’s epic fight to keep beachgoers off his patch of Florida sand” via Stephanie Mencimer of Mother Jones
“Many Florida growers want to know when they can plant hemp” via Forrest Saunders of WPTV
“Woman who helped put away serial killer awaits his execution” via Brendan Farrington of the Associated Press
Quote of the Day
“If government can solve this, we wouldn’t have had a need for this conference.” — Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson at this week’s summit on fighting poverty.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Orange County at 10 a.m., Eatonville Neighborhood Center for Families, Suite D, 323 East Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor will present “overdue” service medals to a 93-year-old World War II veteran who was in the Navy. That’s at 10:15 a.m., Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa.
This Weekend
Gov. Ron DeSantis will leave Florida on Saturday for a nearly week-long trip to Israel that will include a state Cabinet meeting and business meetings. The trip, DeSantis’ first international trade mission, is planned in conjunction with Enterprise Florida.
Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist of Pinellas County will host his 2nd annual Veterans Resource Expo called ‘All In For Pinellas Veterans,’ including a veterans benefits workshop. That’s at 9 a.m. Saturday, C.W. Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center, 2801 Grand Ave., Pinellas Park. For details, email [email protected].
Rep. James Buchanan, an Osprey Republican, will hold a town-hall meeting. That’s at 11 a.m. Saturday, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Venice Campus.
A progressive rally and march to support abortion access is slated for Central Florida. That’s at 11 a.m. Sunday, beginning at Lake Eola Park (by the “Centered” sculpture, also known as the “eye” statue), Orlando.
