Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2018

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

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, […]

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2018

Centerplate has been the Orange County Convention Center’s exclusive food-service provider for a decade and based on its performance the Orange County Commission voted in favor of keeping the company around for another decade-plus. After a lengthy bidding process that saw Centerplate go up against a consortium of food-service companies including one-time contract holder Levy […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonAugust 31, 2018

Lobbying compensation reports are in for the second quarter, and the usual rankings have been shaken up among the state’s top-earning lobby firms. After several quarters leading the pack, Ballard Partners has slipped to second place in legislative lobbying compensation while Southern Strategy Group ascended to the top spot. It doesn’t hurt that the firm […]

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 RosicaJuly 11, 2018

Saying he violated their constitutional rights “in multiple ways, and over repeated objections,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron asked a Tallahassee judge to remove himself from future proceedings in an environmental funding case. The legislative leaders filed their disqualification request with Circuit Judge Charles Dodson earlier this week. On June 28, […]

Peter SchorschJuly 4, 2018

Whether it’s lighting up the grill or some bottle rockets, Floridians are expected to bring some weekend flair to a mid-week Fourth of July. AAA – The Auto Club Group forecasts a record-breaking 46.9 million Americans will hit the road between Tuesday and Sunday to celebrate Independence Day, and Orlando once again tops the list […]

Drew WilsonJune 15, 2018

The Pinellas County Commission has selected Southern Strategy Group (SSG) to handle its lobbying needs in Tallahassee for the next two years. SSG was one of several firms to respond to the Pinellas Commission’s call for contract proposals and, as reported last week, their pitch made the shortlist alongside Dean Mead and GrayRobinson. Dean Mead had held […]

Drew WilsonMay 28, 2018

Summertime is here — well, almost. While Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces, the holiday also marks the unofficial start to summer. And for many people, that means it’s time to start thinking about summer vacation. Nearly 42 million Americans are hitting the road for the long weekend […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 6, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Alissa McKee Ellison to the Hillsborough County Court on Friday. Ellison, a shareholder at GrayRobinson law firm, will replace former Hillsborough Judge Michael S. Williams, who was selected by Scott last year to serve on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Ellison, 37, of Tampa, received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University […]

Tag: GrayRobinson

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

Orange County Convention Center re-ups deal with Centerplate

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

Southern Strategy Group’s legislative lobbying boosts it to No. 1 in Q2 revenue

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

Lawmakers want judge tossed off environmental funding suit

Independence Day is brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

Southern Strategy Group lands Pinellas Co. lobbying contract

Memorial Day Weekend brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

Alissa McKee Ellison appointed to Hillsborough bench