Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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. […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 19, 2016

A 1 percent cut in the commercial rents sales tax tops the list of legislative priorities for the National Federation of Independent Business, the small-business lobbying group announced Tuesday. “In 2016, we’re focusing on giving back to our state’s economic drivers and helping clear the way for job creators to own, operate and grow their […]

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Prohibition-era law that requires retailers to sell hard liquor in a separate store from groceries and other wares is repealed.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 […]

Peter SchorschOctober 21, 2015

Has anyone else but me noticed that there have been more than a few stories on controversial bills that carry the name “Trujillo?” Good for him. Too often, too many lawmakers come to Tallahassee to go along and get along. But when you choose to take on the FMA or Publix or abortion clinics in […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsApril 14, 2015

Pro-growth business group Floridians for Fair Business Practices said members of the House Regulatory Affairs Committee was regrettably in error when it shot down Rep. Greg Steube’s HB 107. The so-called “whiskey and Wheaties” bill would have allowed big retailers and grocers to sell liquor in the same store as regular groceries, but in a cordoned-off […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2015

A proposal to allow grocers and big-box retailers to sell hard liquor in the same store as more wholesome wares lives on, Rep. Greg Steube said Friday. The Sarasota Republican’s HB 107 was pulled from consideration during week six of this year’s lawmaking Session after intense pushback from public health advocates and liquor store industry lobbyists, […]

Tag: whiskey and Wheaties

It’s “whiskey and Wheaties” all over again

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

No. 1 priority for Independent Business group is commercial rent tax cut

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

Praise for Carlos Trujillo

New group enters “whiskey and Wheaties” fray

Fight over “whiskey and Wheaties” returns to Capitol

Floridians for Fair Business Practices decries House panel’s “whiskey and Wheaties” thumbs down

Greg Steube’s “whiskey and Wheaties” bill re-emerges in House