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 doesn’t need a liquor license for patrons to bring their own booze, the state’s top alcohol regulator says.
Anthony Masso of Boca Raton had filed a request for such a determination with the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) in Tallahassee. (Last Call first reported his petition May 23.)
The club, to be located in Pompano Beach, had been 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.
ABT’s director, R. Sterling Whisenhunt, opined last week that the state’s beverage law doesn’t apply to Masso’s club both because it is a nonprofit and will not sell any liquor to guests.
His order was released Tuesday morning in response to a public record request.
Moreover, Whisenhunt denied a motion to intervene filed by the City of Pompano Beach. Whisenhunt said the city’s “interest in regulating sexually oriented businesses is not affected” by his decision, nor does it affect the city’s own regulation of how and where booze is consumed.
In sum, his ruling “in no way restricts the city’s constitutional and statutory right to regulate certain activities,” he said.
Russell L. Cormican, Masso’s Fort Lauderdale-based lawyer, told Florida Politics his client “is happy that ABT has offered to clarify what had previously been a gray area in the beverage law.”
Whisenhunt’s decision “now makes it clear that nonprofit social clubs that allow members to consume their own alcohol on the premises do not require licensure under State regulations.”
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In other news, Wednesday’s Cabinet Aides meeting and next week’s Cabinet Meeting have been canceled “in an abundance of caution” because of Hurricane Dorian, according to Meredith Beatrice, a spokeswoman for Gov. Ron DeSantis.
According to the official Cabinet calendar, the next regularly scheduled meetings would be Sept. 18 (for the aides) and 24 (for the Cabinet). Due to the slow-going of Dorian, however, it remains in question whether those will be held.
In any case, Tuesday’s decision means another delay on a discussion of two high-profile hires: Replacements for Ronald Rubin, fired in July as head of the Office of Financial Regulation, and Bob Cohen, the state’s outgoing chief administrative law judge.
Rubin was let go in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate comments in the workplace. Cohen is stepping down after a meeting with DeSantis’ chief legal adviser, Joe Jacquot, who told him “the governor wants to reexamine and reevaluate the leadership at (the Division of Administrative Hearings), as he has been doing with all agencies.”
Evening Reads
“U.K. government loses majority as Boris Johnson speaks in Parliament” via Zachary Basu of Axios
“Walmart to limit ammunition sales and stop ‘open carry’ of guns in stores” via Michael Corkery of the New York Times
“Rick Scott can hang up that Navy cap. Ron DeSantis is large, in charge and keeping us informed about Hurricane Dorian” via the Miami Herald editorial board
“This is the one and only Hurricane Dorian — there likely won’t ever be a second” via Roger Simmons of Orlando Sentinel
“Florida avoids direct hit, but Dorian will cause damage” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“FEMA agrees to bypass review of some hurricane recovery funding” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO Florida.
“‘It’s horror’ in Bahamas: Survivors tell of being trapped, witnessing Dorian’s catastrophic power” via Jan Wesner Childs and Ron Brackett of the Weather Channel
“In Hurricane Dorian’s wake, Bahamian legislator appeals to U.S., Florida for help” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Bahamians crowdsource social media to find relatives after Hurricane Dorian” via Jessica Lipscomb of the Miami New Times
“Shevrin Jones, Valencia Gunder court donations for Dorian recovery effort in Bahamas” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Will schools have kids make up the lost hurricane day during Thanksgiving break?” via Jeff Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times
“Clearwater-based Coast Guard crews rescue 19 from Hurricane Dorian” via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
“HCA can’t hide from hurricanes with 45 hospitals in Florida, so it preps like it’s the apocalypse” via Blake Farmer of Nashville Public Radio
“The pistol strokers of the Gunshine State” via Diane Roberts for the Florida Phoenix
Quote of the Day
“They’re the equivalent of the Navy SEALs of that profession. We’re advocating to get these brave men and women to the Bahamas.” — CFO Jimmy Patronis on a push to send urban search-and-rescue teams to the storm-battered Bahamas.
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The Liberty County legislative delegation, made up of Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat, and Rep. Jason Shoaf, a Port St. Joe Republican, is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2020 legislative session. That’s at 4:30 p.m., Liberty County Courthouse, 10818 State Road 20, Bristol.
The Calhoun County legislative delegation, also made up of Montford and Shoaf, is scheduled to meet. That’s at 5 p.m. Central time, Calhoun County Courthouse, 20859 Central Avenue East, Blountstown.
The Broward County legislative delegation is scheduled to elect a 2020 chair and vice-chair at 6 p.m., Conference Center at Memorial Regional Hospital, 3501 Johnson St., Hollywood.
