Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 29, 2016

If proponents of tearing down the hard liquor “wall of separation” in retail stores had a theme song, it would be, “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” Businesses organized as Floridians for Fair Business Practices want to repeal the Prohibition-era state law that requires businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. […]

Guest AuthorDecember 17, 2015

So far, I’ve received seven holiday newsletters. They’re enough to make me hope for mood stabilizers in my stocking. And I’m Jewish. Why is the annual celebration of your Lord also time to celebrate the result of a drunken night eight years ago when your diaphragm failed? The pictures are bad enough. They’re so small […]

Jim RosicaDecember 16, 2015

A state senator has filed legislation to protect Florida’s K-12 students from websites that mine personal information online. Tallahassee Democrat Bill Montford, a former county schools superintendent, filed his bill (SB 1146) Wednesday. The “Student Online Personal Information Protection Act” says websites and applications aimed at students can’t “target” their advertising, create marketing profiles or […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2015

If you listen to the lobbyists for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and other independent liquor retailers, it would be the bacchanal end-of-the-world if the state’s Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from groceries and other wares is repealed. For three years various lawmakers have carried legislation – nicknamed […]

Peter SchorschOctober 30, 2015

Even though classic costumes such as witches, vampires and Frankenstein’s monster may have gone out of style and been replaced by superheroes and Star Wars characters, the Halloween spirit is alive and well. The Florida Department of Health said this week that the average American will eat 3.4 pounds of candy this weekend, and many kids will eat more than […]

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

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2015

“Banning the Box” on job applications for companies who contract with the city of Tampa was a bridge too far for the City Council to consider back in February, but it’s good enough for the Koch Brothers and other major corporations. In February, the Council declined to pass a law that would have “banned the box” […]

Tag: Target
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks with reporters after President Donald Trump addressed Congress Tuesday. Image via The Associated Press.

“Whiskey and Wheaties” looking dead, but advocates keep pushing

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Enjoy a holiday letter from Hell and a cookie

Bill filed to protect students from online marketing

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

ABC’s app-based alcohol delivery service tears down its argument for keeping “whiskey & Wheaties” wall

Halloween is brought you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

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

Koch Brothers latest to seize on “ban the box” movement; is Tampa next?