Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2016

The startling news that SeaWorld will stop breeding its captive orca whales and will phase out theatrical orca shows in favor of exhibits highlighting whales’ natural behaviors is an indicator of a broader trend in society. SeaWorld realized that making orcas do tricks in small concrete pools is no longer a sustainable business model. The company […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Bradenton trial judge who accepted baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over has resigned from the bench. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin resigned Monday from the 12th Judicial Circuit. It serves DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Lakin, elected in 2012, was facing a judicial conduct inquiry by the state’s Judicial […]

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. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

A Bradenton trial judge was charged Monday with accepting baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin was accused of violating the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which said he demonstrated “a present unfitness to serve.” […]

Peter SchorschNovember 26, 2015

corbellaWith all the talk of beleaguered immigrants seeking refuge in America, the true meaning of Thanksgiving is all too poignant this year. We’ve all seen the words “turkey” and “lobbyist” in the same sentence before. But, more than likely, this referred to the role of special interests in securing political pork for clients. Indeed, Florida’s […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2015

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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 […]

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 […]

Diane RobertsJune 26, 2015

I am the descendant of at least 10 Confederate soldiers. A few owned slaves; most did not. One great-great-grandfather fought at the Battle of Natural Bridge. Another survived the Siege of Petersburg. So don’t throw the Y-word at me. Don’t tell me I don’t understand. I understand all too well. The Confederate battle flag is […]

Tag: Walmart

Wayne Pacelle: Florida’s politicians need to embrace ‘humane economy’

Judge who took Rays tickets from law firm quits bench

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

Judicial conduct panel charges Bradenton judge over Rays baseball tickets

Thanksgiving, as brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

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

New group enters “whiskey and Wheaties” fray

Fight over “whiskey and Wheaties” returns to Capitol

Diane Roberts: Take it down already!