Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

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Even though the bill sailed through its first committee, state Sen. Anitere Flores Thursday said she would tweak her “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation to make sure it wouldn’t apply to gas station convenience stores. The Senate Regulated Industries committee cleared the bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2017

Sorry, Publix customers: You won’t be able to buy “lip balm, sunglasses, gift cards, balloons, mosquito repellant (or) sunscreen” in the supermarket chain’s liquor shops anytime soon. The Lakeland-based chain had sought permission from the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to add those items to those its sells in its separate stores that offer hard […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2017

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores has a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. State Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, filed a […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschDecember 12, 2016

One charity in Florida might be feeling a bit of winter chill, as people in the Tampa Bay area are keeping wallets and purses closed at iconic Salvation Army Red Kettles this season. As the holidays approach, Salvation Army donations are down by more than 12 percent across the Tampa Bay Area, according to Capt. Andrew […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores on Monday filed a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. Beer and […]

Peter SchorschOctober 30, 2016

The witching hour is upon us. Ghosts and ghouls fill the streets. Zombies walk side-by-side with princesses and superheroes. Their mission the same: Spook and scare their neighbors in hopes of scoring enough candy to sustain them for the next year. Total spending for Halloween is expected to reach $8.2 billion in 2016, according to […]

Scott PowersOctober 25, 2016

If there is an indication that a candidate’s victory is seen by some as all but in hand, it’s when money normally sent to an opposing party’s candidate starts arriving, and Democratic congressional nominee Val Demings may have reached that point. Demings, the former Orlando police chief running in the now-solidly blue Florida’s 10th Congressional […]

Peter SchorschAugust 24, 2016

Publix Supermarkets has given nearly $2.6 million to Florida candidates and committees during the 2016 election cycle, including more than $300,000 since the start of August. Among the Lakeland-based company’s most recent contributions were a $100,000 check to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and an additional $150,000 payment to the group’s “Florida Jobs” political committee. […]

Peter SchorschJuly 18, 2016

Last week, the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reported Florida’s sugar industry has spent a “whopping” $57.8 million over the last 22 years on political campaign contributions. This number sounds huge. But to those actively involved in Florida’s political process, the number is not so whopping when you’re plying your trade as a health care, theme park/entertainment, […]

Tag: Publix

Anitere Flores: Gas stations will be carved out of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

State says no to balloons, lip balm in Publix liquor stores

Why I have second thoughts about tearing down the wall between the whiskey and the Wheaties

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

Salvation Army feeling chill at Red Kettles, donations down this Christmas

It’s “whiskey and Wheaties” all over again

Halloween is brought you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Val Demings beginning to draw business money in CD 10 race

Publix: Where shopping — and making hefty political contributions — are a pleasure

Putting the sugar industry’s history of political contributions into some much-needed context