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It’s “whiskey and Wheaties” all over again

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booze

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 wine already are sold in grocery aisles in Florida. “As legislators, we shouldn’t burden businesses with archaic regulations when they must be more innovative and…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort Myers Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto. Off: Sean Nixon is no longer legislative assistant for Cutler Bay Democratic state Sen. Dwight Bullard. Off: Kyle Langan is no longer…

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Florida campaign weekender for Sept. 10-11

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Saturday, Sept. 10 State Rep. Dana Young, running for Senate District 18, will celebrate the opening of her Carrollwood campaign office with some Super Saturday canvassing. Starting at 9:15 a.m., Young will be on hand for a meet-and-greet with supporters, the campaign team, and volunteers, followed by a neighborhood walk. Joining Young for the event are members of the North Hillsborough Republican Club. Bagels and coffee will be provided. The Carrollwood campaign office is at 14499 N. Dale Mabry Highway,…

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More than a dozen South Florida House members appear to be re-elected without opposition

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More than a dozen members of the Florida House are heading back Tallahassee. As of 5 p.m., state records show nearly a dozen South Florida lawmakers appeared to win their elections Friday when they failed to draw an opponent by the time qualifying period. All of the candidates are incumbents. In House District 94, Bobby DuBose is returning to the Florida House. The Fort Lauderdale Democrat was first elected to the Florida House in 2014. Kristin Jacobs appears to have…

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Is it “expanding gambling” to sell lottery tickets at gas pumps?

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Legislation is moving in the Legislature that would allow people to buy their lottery tickets at the gas pump despite a lingering question that the measure is an expansion of gambling. The question is more than moral or academic: Expanded gambling is a condition for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to stop sharing revenue from its casinos. The tribe kicks more than $200 million a year into state coffers. “Any expansion of gaming or use of lottery vending machines, beyond what…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Bobbye Iseminger is the new senior administrative assistant for the House Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access. On: Jasmine Govan and Ambar Pimentel became legislative assistants for Democratic state Sen. Joseph Abruzzo of Wellington. Off: Rick Kendust is no longer legislative assistant for Republican state Sen. Thad Altman of Rockledge. Off: Jessica Crawford…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Pepper Uchino is no longer staff director of the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. On: Ellen Rogers is now staff director for the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation. On: Gail Vail joined the Senate Minority Office staff as a legislative analyst. Off: Keaton Alexander left her role as legislative assistant to Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson.…

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