Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2017

Free stuff is good, right? Surprisingly, not everyone agrees when it comes to beer glasses. Bills are moving in the Legislature to allow beer distributors to give away glasses from brewers imprinted with product names and logos to bars and restaurants. Now, they have to be sold. The House bill (HB 853) was first OK’d […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 8, 2016

Mark the second quarter down as another strong one for Heffley & Associates. The Tallahassee-based firm reported earning between $250,000 and $499,999 in legislative lobbying services from April 1 to June 30. The three-month period covers the months immediately following the 2016 legislative session. Firms must file compensation reports each quarter. The reports covering the […]

Drew WilsonNovember 16, 2015

Tallahassee-based firm Heffley & Associates enjoyed a healthy third quarter, collecting $430,000 in lobbying earnings between July 1 and Sept. 30 according to recently filed lobbying compensation reports. Topping the list of the firm’s 25 clients last quarter was the Florida Medical Association, which accounted for an estimated $50,000 of the firm’s earnings during that […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2015

Although craft beer enthusiasts are happy to be able to finally live in a state that can now offer them 64-ounce growlers, the legislation was always about more than the selling of a half-gallon sized jug. One could say the half-gallon growler had become the political pawn in what had led to a fierce battle […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2015

A state regulatory agency says it will release specific information tomorrow about an upcoming workshop that the Florida Retail Federation says will provide “clarity” regarding a 50-year exception in alcohol beverage law in Florida. That exception has allowed the craft brewing industry to thrive over the past decade. Earlier this month the Florida Retail Federation and the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2014

For the average Floridian, much if not most of what takes place in Tallahassee isn’t something that usually captures their imagination – until months or perhaps years later when the true effects of some law hits them in their wallet. But the battle between Big Beer and the craft brewing industry during last year’s legislative […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2014

For the average Floridian, much if not most of what takes place in Tallahassee isn’t something that usually captures their imagination – until months or perhaps years later when the true effects of some law hits them in their wallet. But the battle between Big Beer and the craft brewing industry during last year’s legislative […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2014

In 2013, Clearwater state Senator Jack Latvala introduced a succinctly written bill that would have brought Florida into compliance with nearly every other state in the country in allowing for the sale of 64-ounce growlers to be sold in Florida craft breweries. The straight forward legislation amounted to only two-lines on a piece of paper. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

Earlier this week Mitch Rubin, the executive director of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association (FBWA), announced that while “for several years,” his organization has supported lifting the restriction on 64-ounce growlers, the FBWA’s support in next year’s legislative session won’t be tied into his greater concerns of direct brewer to consumer sales. Tampa House Republican […]

Guest AuthorDecember 8, 2014

For several years, the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association has supported lifting the restriction on 64-ounce growlers. But as most observers know, the Association originally tied its support to the larger discussion of direct brewer to consumer sales. That was then. And this is now. As the Executive Director of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, I […]

Tag: Florida Beer Wholesalers Association
Image via AP.

Beer glass bills coming to a head

Lobbying compensation reports show Rich Heffley’s firm enjoyed a healthy Q2

Lobbying compensation reports show Heffley & Associates enjoyed a healthy Q3

Compromises led to passage this year of growler bill

State agency to rule on craft brewery tasting rooms exception

Jack Latvala & craft brew community hope 2015 is the year that 64-ounce growlers become the law

Jack Latvala & craft brew community hope 2015 is the year that 64-ounce growlers become the law

Jack Latvala to introduce new growler legislation

Dana Young takes Mitch Rubin at his word on 64-ounce growlers

Mitch Rubin: Legislature should quickly lift ban on 64-ounce growlers