A bill to allow stores to sell alcohol behind a counter instead of in a separate building moved forward Wednesday.
Hialeah Republican Representative Bryan Avila says his bill would remove an outdated law. But Florida Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission CEO and President Bill Bunkley believes the bill poses an opportunity for underage drinking.
“But I’d like for you to just think about the children who are going to be tempted. Your children may be tempted," Bunkley said. "Good kids get tempted. Problem kids get tempted. And I’m going to tell you, it’s so easy to walk into a big box store, pop open a Jack Daniels, take a couple swigs—and ladies and gentlemen, that alcohol content is a lot higher than taking a few swigs out of a beer.”
Other testimonies came from small liquor store owners, concerned the bill would put them out of business, as it allows “big box” business to sell liquor.