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Sens. Nelson and Rubio ask Dept. of Transportation for post-storm coordination and support

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U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio today sent the following letter to Dept. of Transportation Secretary Chao.
Following is the text of the letter sent to the Dept. of Transportation:

September 11, 2017

The Honorable Elaine Chao
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary Chao:
As you are aware, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the state of the Florida as a category four hurricane early Sunday morning. Local officials have reported substantial damage to the bridges, roadways, and airports across the entire state. We thank the Department of Transportation for its swift release of emergency relief funding to begin addressing the immediate recovery needs.
While the infrastructure has yet to be fully surveyed, the need for assistance is expected to be significant. Florida Highway Patrol has already reported that portions of Interstate four in Central Florida have been washed out, and early indications are that northeast Florida roads are inundated with water. We are also hearing that bridges in the lower keys have sustained damage and are covered with debris. These roads, highways, and bridges may serve as critical routes, necessary for emergency response efforts, or vital to the delivery of much-needed fuel, food, water and other necessities post-storm. In addition, airports serve as a key hub for recovery as well, and are in the process of assessing damage. Without full functionality of these transportation pathways, Floridians are unable to resume their normal day-to-day lives.
The Department of Transportation plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and operability of our transportation network. While the level of damage to our state in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma is unclear, it is essential that all federal resources are provided to aid in restoring our state’s infrastructure to its optimal function and usability for our constituents. As state and local officials continue to assess the infrastructure damage incurred by this natural disaster, we ask the Department of Transportation to continue to coordinate with relevant federal agencies to provide all possible aid, staff and resources to address any deficiencies.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

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.