‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ Bill Narrowly Passes Florida House
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Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Commuter pains worsen at New York’s Penn Station; S.C. Senate passes gas-tax increase; and invasive peacocks swarm neighborhood.
ALCOHOL REGULATION | The Florida House narrowly approved a controversial “Whiskey and Wheaties” bill on Wednesday that would allow the sale of liquor on the shelves of grocery and convenience stores. Liquor store owners, fearing for the future of their businesses, have vehemently opposed the legislation. Florida’s Senate had already passed the legislation, which is now with Gov. Rick Scott for consideration. The governor’s office has not said whether Scott will sign or veto the bill. [Florida Times-Union]
TRANSPORTATION | Amtrak officials announced on Thursday that they plan to close several tracks at New York’s Pennsylvania Station this summer for repairs, but decision-makers continue to be vague about exactly how many tracks will close and for how long. It’s estimated that track repairs will cost “tens of millions of dollars,” according to Charles Moorman, Amtrak’s chief executive. Track closures on the weekdays will impact the commutes for the more than 600,000 riders who pass through the station each day. [The New York Times]
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says the city’s iconic cable cars may go cashless after police arrested two operators of the vehicles during the last two weeks for stealing cash fares. Police arrested cable car operator Albert Williams, 61, on April 19. They later found $32,000 cash during a search of his home. [San Francisco Examiner]
South Carolina’s state Senate passed a 12-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase earlier this week by a vote of 34-10, a veto-proof majority. The legislation was expected go to the House after a final procedural vote. “Addressing our roads and bridges has been our top priority all year,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, a Republican. “The bill is far from perfect but I’m please the Senate acted to provide long-term funding.” [The State]
HEALTH CARE | A measure that would establish a single-payer healthcare system in California has passed its first big test. The bill cleared the Senate Health Committee on a 5-2 vote after a hearing that lasted nearly three hours. But, one major question remains—neither Democrats nor Republicans know how the system would be paid for. The bill says the program would be funded with “broad-based revenue” but there’s no indication of where that money would actually be coming from. If the legislation passes the system established by SB 562 would cover everyone living in the state, including those who are undocumented immigrants. [Los Angeles Times]
FOOD SAFETY | Thanks to state law, the Louisiana Health Department currently only charges $25 in total to inspect the all of the approximately 80 food vendors at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, which last year attracted 425,000 people to the seven-day event. Legislation would allow the department to charge $37.50 per vendor, which would increase agency revenue from fees to about $3,000. [The Times-Picayune / NOLA.com]
CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURES | An Oklahoma state representative has proposed a measure that would redirect money seized from civil asset forfeitures—a controversial practice where law enforcement can seize money and other assets suspected in being used in a crime and can keep it if the owner can’t prove it wasn’t used in a crime—to be used for President Trump’s proposed border wall. “The vast majority of it is either coming from Mexico or headed there. By redirecting this cash to construction efforts, Mexico will be paying for the wall just as promised,” State Rep. Bobby Cleveland said in an announcement released Thursday. [Tulsa World]
WILDLIFE | Residents of Coconut Grove, in south Florida, are at odds over what to do about invasive peacocks, which are creating a nuisance. “Arguments, insults, fistfights—it’s out of control, just like the peacock population is out of control,” said Frank Cabreja, former chair of the Coconut Grove Quality of Life Coalition. While some residents enjoy having the peacocks around, others are bothered by the birds’ piles of poop, shrieks and howls and other habits, like their tendency to peck cars and pry off roof shingles. County Commissioner Xavier Suarez, said: “We’ve reached a point of critical peacock mass and need to take action.” [Miami Herald]
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