Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 25, 2017

Saying it could hurt job creation, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a contentious bill that would have removed the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Scott filed his veto letter of the measure (SB 106) on Wednesday night, his deadline to act on the bill. It’s the first veto of a bill from the 2017 […]

Jim RosicaMay 21, 2017

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Costco now is joining Wal-Mart, Target and others in one last push to get Gov. Rick Scott to sign a bill to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Their Floridians For Fair Business Practices coalition on Friday released a tranche of letters sent to Scott encouraging him to OK the legislation (SB […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2017

The reaction to the Florida Legislature’s repeal of the state’s “booze wall” law continued long after Wednesday’s vote. The House, on a close vote of 58-57, passed the Senate’s bill (SB 106) to allow retailers to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. (Full story here.) The legislation now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. If signed […]

Phil AmmannNovember 13, 2015

A coalition of Florida retailers and business owners are reaffirming “unwavering support” for the effort to repeal the state’s Prohibition-era alcohol separation law. In an announcement Friday, Floridians for Fair Business Practices (FFBP) doubled down on its support for “free market and pro-business values” while blasting opponents, who they claim are using “false arguments on […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2015

Groups opposed to an effort to do away with retailers’ having separate stores to sell liquor have banded together as Florida Businesses Unite. The new alliance includes ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, the Florida Independent Spirits Association and Publix, according to a Wednesday news release. For three years now, various lawmakers have carried legislation – or “whiskey and […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

“Sure I eat what I advertise. Sure, I eat Wheaties for breakfast. A good bowl of Wheaties with bourbon can’t be beat.” – Hall of Fame pro-baseball pitcher Dizzy Dean. Supporters are hoping the third time’s the charm in repealing the state’s Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from […]

Jim RosicaAugust 24, 2015

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A legislative push to commingle whiskey and Wheaties will be back for a third time before Florida lawmakers next year. A coalition of national big-box stores and their allies will meet within the next two weeks to work on this year’s strategy, spokeswoman Christina Johnson said. Wal-Mart, Target and others formed Floridians for Fair Business […]

Staff ReportsApril 9, 2015

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco thinks selling spirits alongside beer and wine is not an issue of minors having increased access to alcohol, but one of properly training clerks and other employees. On Thursday, Nocco joined other law enforcement officials, businesses, and organizations who have spoken out in the effort to repeal Florida’s Prohibition-era laws […]

Phil AmmannMarch 9, 2015

Floridians for Fair Business Practices (FFBP) released a new video Monday arguing two reasons Florida should repeal its “outdated” Prohibition-era liquor-purchase separation laws: convenience and common sense. “Convenience” is the second in a series of FFBP digital ads available on YouTube. Florida is one of the 20 states with a separation law between liquor stores […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2015

Advocates for repealing Florida’s Prohibition-era laws separating alcohol and grocery sales scored a significant victory Wednesday from a House committee. House Business and Professions Subcommittee passed HB 107, a proposal from Sarasota Republican state Rep. Greg Steube seeking to repeal the law preventing liquor stores and retailers from selling spirits in the same aisle as beer […]

Tag: Floridians for Fair Business Practices

The hangover: Rick Scott vetoes ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill

Big-box chains, others make one last push for ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Interests for and against ‘liquor wall’ legislation react to passage

Retailers, business owners reaffirm call to repeal Florida “wall of alcohol separation”

New group enters “whiskey and Wheaties” fray

Fight over “whiskey and Wheaties” returns to Capitol

Grocery retailers aim to push “Whiskey and Wheaties” redux in 2016

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco joins call to re-examine alcohol separation laws

FFBP video calls for common sense, convenience in repealing alcohol separation law

Bill to repeal state alcohol/grocery separation law passes Florida House committee