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Business Leaders and Free Market Groups Encourage Passage of Common Sense, Pro-Business Bill

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Members of the Floridians for Fair Business Practices coalition urge Representatives
to pass SB 106 and repeal the Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law

Members of Floridians for Fair Business Practices, a coalition of business leaders, free market organizations and Florida retailers, encourage members of the Florida House to vote yes on Senate Bill 106 during Wednesday’s floor vote. Sponsored by Representative Bryan Avila, the bill repeals an antiquated law which prohibits the sale of distilled spirits in the same location as beer, wine and other goods.
“The outdated ‘alcohol wall’ is the prime example of a costly, burdensome regulation which fails to demonstrate any benefit to public health and safety,” said Skylar Zander, Deputy State Director, Americans for Prosperity. “It’s time to empower consumer choices and advance entrepreneurship, and we urge the Florida House to pass this bill.”
“Consumers should decide what retailers stock on their shelves, not the government,” said Sal Nuzzo, Vice President of Policy, James Madison Institute. “The outdated alcohol separation policy must be reformed to advance and encourage competition, and we are hopeful the House will pass this free enterprise bill.”
“We support legislation to foster healthy competition for Florida’s retailers, while providing businesses with the tools to meet their customers’ evolving needs,” said Julio Fuentes, President and CEO, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “The Senate has already signaled their support for leveling the playing field among retailers, and we encourage Representatives to follow suit.”
“The biggest threat to our industry is governmental overregulation, which is why we are advocating for a repeal of the Prohibition era liquor law,” said Richard Turner, General Counsel and Vice President of Government Relations, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “After nearly eight decades of red tape surrounding the sale of alcohol in grocery and big-box stores, it’s time to bring Florida into a modern era and embrace consumer convenience.”
“With online sales surpassing in-store revenue for the first time this year, brick and mortar retailers must adapt to new technology and provide consumers with the convenience they desire in order to remain profitable,” said Gina Kinchlow, Board Member, Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. “Florida cannot continue to keep certain businesses out of the marketplace, and we ask Representatives to vote yes on SB 106 to ensure all retailers have the ability to compete.”
“This outdated law discourages competition and increases costs for all parties,” said Christian Camara, Southeast Region Director, R Street Institute. “I hope members of the House keep free market principles in mind when voting on this bill, and allow our great state to join 29 other states who allow businesses to flourish in today’s modern society.”
Floridians for Fair Business Practices is a coalition of retailers and business groups whose purpose is to identify rules and regulations, which prohibit the growth and expansion of Florida business. For additional information, please visit www.FairBizinFlorida.com.

Business Leaders Applaud Gov. Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” $618 Million Tax Cut Package

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Governor Rick Scott announced today that he is proposing $618 million in tax cuts to help Florida families and small businesses, and ensure taxes are cut for Florida’s future generations. These tax cuts will encourage job creators to add more jobs and build opportunities now and in the future. Here’s what Florida business leaders are saying:
Erin Meagher, Founder of Beneficial Blends, said, “Beneficial Blends is proud of our commitment to the Tampa Bay area and we are constantly working to add more Floridians to our dynamic team. With two locations currently under a commercial lease, Governor Scott’s proposed tax cut would allow us to invest more in growing our company and creating new opportunities. Reducing the tax on commercial leases would certainly help our business and many others that may consider setting up manufacturing facilities in Florida, and I look forward to seeing it passed this year.”
Richard Scherzer, Co-Owner of About Floors N More, “Governor Scott truly understands small business and is dedicated to fighting on behalf of the many small businesses and the families they employ across the state. About Floors N More pays commercial lease taxes on all three of our properties, and the Governor’s proposed tax cut would help our business invest more money in growing and creating opportunities in Jacksonville. We were excited to welcome Governor Scott to our business today and look forward to seeing these tax cuts passed.”
Gerry Angeli, President & General Manager of ACR Electronics, Inc. a Drew Marine Company, said, “For five decades ACR Electronics has believed there is no better place than Florida, the boating capital of the world, to build emergency beacons for boaters designed and manufactured to make sure they come home safely every time. As a proud Florida manufacturer and job creator, we appreciate Governor Scott’s ongoing commitment to cutting taxes and making it easier for businesses, like ours, to invest more in growing our company. Governor Scott’s proposed $618 million tax cut package is great news for our company and our many employees and we are excited to support it.”
Bill Herrle, Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said, “We know from talking to job creators across the state and the nation that the tax on commercial leases puts Florida at a competitive disadvantage. Governor Scott has demonstrated an incredible commitment to doing everything possible to make it easier for businesses to succeed, and these recommended tax cuts are critical to ensuring continued economic growth. NFIB is proud to fully support this proposal and we look forward to the Legislature cutting $618 million in taxes this year.”
Randy Miller, Florida Retail Federation President and CEO, said, “Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ tax cut package includes a number of cuts which will significantly support Florida’s retailers, including a reduction in the business rent tax, cutting the business tax and an expanded back-to-school sales tax holiday, among others. FRF is excited about what the Governor’s tax cut package will mean for growing Sunshine State businesses, creating new jobs for Florida families and ensuring our state remains competitive.”
David Hart, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said, “Every step we take to make Florida more business-friendly means more job creators choosing to move to and reinvest in our state. Governor Scott’s recommended $618 million tax cut package will help businesses large and small invest more in creating jobs for our families and will help ensure Florida’s economy will continue to grow well into the future. We are fighting to make our state the best place for job creators and families to succeed and the Florida Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with Governor Scott and the Legislature this year to support this tax cut package.”
Tom Feeney, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida, said, “Governor Scott’s proposed $618 million tax cut package truly fights for both job creators and families across the state. Over the past few years, we have seen the exciting impact tax cuts have had on helping businesses move to and grow in our state, as well as the importance of helping Floridians keep more of their hard-earned money. In order to continue to help our economy grow, we must remain committed to lowering the cost of doing business, and reducing the business rent tax will surely help us meet that goal. AIF is proud to join Governor Scott in fighting for Florida’s future by supporting the passage of $618 million in tax cuts.”
2017 Florida Realtors® President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart, said, “Reducing the tax businesses pay for commercial leases will make an incredible difference for job creators across the state. For small businesses especially, this tax can prevent companies from being able to invest more, which in turn creates new opportunities for families in their communities. Florida’s Realtors stand ready to work with Gov. Scott to advocate for his $618 million tax cut package during the 2017 legislative session.”
Madeline Pumariega, Chancellor of the Florida College System, said, “The Governor’s proposal to cut $618 million in taxes, especially exempting college textbooks from the sales tax, is great news for Florida families and students. This is incredibly important to ensuring our students have all the resources they need to exceed in college and beyond.”
Tom Kuntz, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors, said, “As Chair of the Florida Board of Governors, I am thrilled that Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ tax cut package includes providing a one-year sales tax exemption on college textbooks. This will help students across the state save millions of dollars and allow them to focus more on getting a great education. I join Governor Scott in fighting for the future of our students and we are proud to support these proposed tax cuts”
Bobby Carbonell, Executive Director of Florida is for Veterans, Inc., said, “A veteran himself, Governor Scott has been committed to making Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. The proposed sales tax holidays, especially the three-day veteran’s sales tax holiday, is great news for the many military members, and their families, who call Florida their home. Florida is for Veterans Inc. is honored to support Governor Scott’s $618 million tax cut package, and we will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure Florida remains the most military-friendly state for years to come.”

Legislators and Business Leaders Voice Support for Common Sense, Pro-Business Bill

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Members of the Floridians for Fair Business Practices coalition
and state legislators encourage the passage of SB 106 and
HB 81 to repeal the Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law

Senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami) and Representative Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah) today joined members of the Floridians for Fair Business Practices coalition to voice support for and educate the public about a bill that would repeal a Prohibition era Alcohol Separation Law which hinders competition, discourages free-market principles and inconveniences consumers.
“This legislation puts Florida in step with 28 other states that allow distilled spirits to be sold alongside other adult beverages. Repealing this law will bring Florida into a more modern era, enabling our great state to flourish in a fair marketplace,” said Florida Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores. “I am proud to sponsor this legislation and encourage my fellow members to see the benefits of this bill in allowing retailers to compete on a level playing field.”
“I am pleased to sponsor this pro-consumer, common sense bill which advances and encourages competition in the marketplace,” said Representative Bryan Avila. “We must provide our Florida retailers with the necessary tools to be both productive and profitable while catering to consumers’ desire for a convenient shopping experience. This legislation does exactly that.”
Sponsored by Senator Flores and Representative Avila, the legislation will reduce barriers to competition, decrease costs for business owners and ultimately enhance the consumer shopping experience. The following will happen if the repeal is passed:

  • Businesses will have the tools to meet the demands of a changing marketplace, where traditional retailers must compete against a new era in society where online sales surpass brick and mortar stores.
  • Retailers would no longer be burdened by the cost of building, staffing and maintaining two separate locations.
  • Stores with the proper licenses will be able to sell beer, wine, distilled spirits and groceries under the same roof. Businesses who already have a separate liquor store could continue to use the previous business model if they wish.
  • The level playing field works both ways – liquor stores previously prohibited from selling products other than “party supplies” could expand their business by selling groceries and other goods.
  • An improved shopping experience where customers will not need to stop at two separate locations when grocery shopping.

“Retailers around the state are being burdened by archaic regulations that stifle their growth,” said Julio Fuentes, President and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “All this bill does is promote competition and fair business practices while reducing business costs.”
“Simply put, this law makes no sense and leaves Florida retailers with a reduced ability to invest in their workers, their business, and their state,” said Richard Turner, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We need a common sense approach, and it would only make sense that Legislators who want to create an environment where businesses can compete, create jobs and grow, support this bill.”
“I commend Senator Flores and Representative Avila for protecting the American dream by championing regulatory reform,” said Skyler Zander, Deputy State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Florida. “Florida entrepreneurs should be free to expand their businesses without the restriction of Prohibition-era red tape.”
“Full repeal of this law would get the government out of the way and let businesses meet the demands of a modern marketplace,” said Gina Kinchlow, Board Member of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. “The only reason to oppose repealing this unnecessary law is to keep certain players out of the marketplace.”
Floridians for Fair Business Practices is a coalition of retailers and business groups whose purpose is to identify rules and regulations, which prohibit the growth and expansion of Florida business. For additional information, please visit to www.FairBizinFlorida.com.