Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2018

Screen-Shot-2017-01-26-at-1.25.54-PM.png

State regulators are appealing an administrative law judge’s ruling that could allow retailers to sell hard liquor in their main stores, instead of in separate stores as they do now. The Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR), which oversees booze sales through its Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT), on Friday filed a notice of appeal to […]

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2018

An administrative law judge has sent a wrecking ball through the wall that separates whiskey from Wheaties in Florida. Judge John D.C. Newton II‘s final order, filed Friday, opens the possibility for big-box retailers to sell hard liquor in their main stores, instead of in separate stores as they do now. The order also confirmed that Walmart “seeks to obtain, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2018

Target and Walmart are heading to court to get an administrative law judge to give them what Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t: The ability to sell whiskey and Wheaties in the same store. The big-box retailers late Monday filed an administrative challenge against the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT). At issue: The state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule,” which restricts […]

Jim RosicaJuly 24, 2018

Give Costco’s lawyers some credit: They may have a found a way to finally be able to sell tequila and turkey burgers in the same store. The answer may involve its food courts — turkey provolone sandwich, anyone? — and repealing the state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule.” And already, Costco’s critics are calling it an […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

State regulators this week rejected a request to install high-tech beer and wine vending machines in South Florida, a proposal opposed by lawmakers and industry groups. A Miami-Dade company had sought an OK from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) to offer what it calls “self-checkout micro marts” with wine and beer. The day after Christmas, however, ABT director […]

Jim RosicaOctober 30, 2017

Beer distributors and independent liquor stores are lining up to oppose a proposal for high-tech beer and wine vending machines in South Florida. The Beer Industry of Florida, the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, and the Florida Independent Spirits Association filed separate motions to intervene in the case last Thursday. A newly-formed Miami-Dade company is seeking an OK from the state’s Division of […]

Associated PressMay 8, 2017

Owners of small, independent liquor stores in central Florida are asking customers to support their efforts urging the governor to veto a bill allowing the sale of spirits in grocery stores. A proposal nicknamed the “Whiskey and Wheaties Bill” (SB 106) would allow grocery stores, big box retailers and other stores to sell liquor alongside […]

Peter SchorschMarch 8, 2017

Akerman, one of the state’s largest law firms, and lobbyists Eliakim Nortelus and David Roberts have parted ways after a vote in a legislative committee to repeal the state law requiring businesses to have separate stores to sell liquor was postponed. Marisa Serrano, a spokesperson for Akerman said Nortelus and Roberts “have resigned from the firm to pursue other interests.” Sources close to the two […]

Peter SchorschDecember 16, 2016

Chinese philosopher-general Sun Tzu once wrote: “Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.” This could also be valuable advice for Florida unions and Democrats — pick your battles wisely. The recent dust-up between unions and Wal-Mart over outsourcing security in Florida could impact another upcoming fight in the […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2015

rocking-whiskey-glass-2_52b9f6d1-7c77-4fce-bd44-247be436edd3_1024x1024-e1447787119859.jpg

Give state Rep. Carlos Trujillo credit for frankness. On Tuesday, he yanked his ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill from the agenda of the House Business and Professions subcommittee because, as he said, “one of my four votes is not here today” (though four votes is a minority on the 13-member committee). Trujillo, a Miami Republican, was referring to the […]

Tag: Florida Independent Spirits Association

State appealing ‘liquor wall’ decision

Judge hands preliminary win to big-box retailers in ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ fight

Target, Walmart file rule challenge for ‘whiskey and Wheaties’

It’s back: Costco’s weapon to win ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ war

State just says ‘no’ to booze from vending machines

Booze from vending machines? No way, beer and liquor groups say

Independent liquor stores fight ‘Whiskey and Wheaties Bill’

Akerman law firm, lobbyists Eli Nortelus, David Roberts part ways after ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ issue postponed

Wal-Mart outsourcing security issue could make Democrats ‘natural allies’ in whiskey and Wheaties fight

Is the ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill on the rocks?