Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 23, 2017

Three Legislative Sessions later, the Senate finally passed a bill to allow retailers to sell hard liquor in the same store as other goods. Senators approved the “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation (SB 106) on a 21-17 vote after a debate in which one senator said it would “kill … kids.” Sen. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who first filed […]

Jim RosicaMarch 22, 2017

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In another squeaker, the House version of a bill to allow retailers to sell liquor in their main stores cleared its last committee by just two votes. The House Commerce Committee on Wednesday OK’d the legislation (HB 81) on a 15-13 vote. It’s now ready to be considered by the full House. It previously cleared the Government Operations and Technology […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2017

After Sen. Bill Galvano first proposed it four years ago, the Senate is poised to pass a bill removing the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods. Bill sponsor Anitere Flores, a Miami-Dade Republican and Senate President pro tempore, took questions on the legislation (SB 106) Tuesday. It’s now set up for debate and a final […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

In addition to the Sunshine State, Pennsylvania lawmakers have now filed legislation to break down the wall of separation between liquor and other goods. On Saturday, the Philadelphia-based Billy Penn news site reported that bills in that state’s “House and Senate would create a new category of license that would allow grocery and convenience stores […]

Jim RosicaMarch 17, 2017

The Florida Senate’s bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods is scheduled for the floor next week. The “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation (SB 106) is on the special order calendar for next Tuesday, according to the chamber’s website on Friday. Meantime, the House companion (HB 81) has been struggling, escaping […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

After the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill nearly whiffed in the House, a new twist was filed Monday evening. A proposed amendment on the bill (HB 81) would create dual “liquor package store licenses,” with “Type A” licenses going to stores keeping a wall of separation between booze and other retail items, and “Type B” licenses going […]

Associated PressFebruary 17, 2017

A Florida man is accused in a plot to blow up several Target stores along the East Coast in an attempt to acquire cheap stock if the company’s stock value plunged after the explosions. Mark Charles Barnett, 48, was charged in a criminal complaint filed Thursday with possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

House members served up a sour version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill Wednesday as it barely cleared its first committee. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared the legislation (HB 81) by a vote of 8-7, with the panel’s chair, Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears, voting against it. This is the fourth year a version of […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2017

Lost in the rush to get the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill over the finish line this year is the incredible toll it might take on independently-owned liquor stores. The Senate bill (SB 106) that would tear down the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods already zoomed through its committees and is now […]

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Senate passes ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill

By two votes, House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill cleared for floor

Senate begins consideration of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

Pennsylvania joins Florida in considering ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Senate’s ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill teed up for floor

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

Is House splitting the difference over the whiskey & Wheaties bill?

Florida man accused in plot to bomb Target stores

‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ bill squeaks out of House panel

State could wed whiskey and Wheaties, but at what cost?