Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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

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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 […]

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2017

The House version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill stumbled and then face planted in its second committee hearing Tuesday afternoon. The Walmart-backed HB 81, sponsored by Hialeah Republican Rep. Bryan Avila, would allow grocery stores and other retailers to sell liquor, rather than keeping up the so-called “liquor wall.” The issue is a top priority for […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

A Senate bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods won approval from a second committee, clearing it to be considered by the full Senate. The bill sparked an unexpected objection from National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer after an amendment came up banning liquor from being sold in the same […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

State Sen. Bill Galvano Wednesday filed an amendment to this year’s “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation to “slow its implementation so it doesn’t come into the marketplace all at once.” The bill (SB 106), filed for four years running, would repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2017

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: whiskey and Wheaties

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

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

Hmmm… House’s whiskey & Wheaties bill stumbles in second committee

‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ bill squeaks out of House panel

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

“Whiskey and Wheaties” bill now cleared for Senate floor

Amendment would slow down effect of ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ bill

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

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