UPDATE - May 24 at 7:15 p.m.:
Governor Rick Scott vetoed SB 106, known as the “Liquor Wall” or “Whiskey and Wheaties” bill, relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages. To view the veto letter Governor Scott sent to Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, click HERE.
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ORIGINAL STORY - May 24 at 6:00 p.m.:
The liquor wall could come tumbling down letting grocery stores and big box retailers sell booze in the same space as other products. And while Governor Rick Scott faces the deadline to either sign or veto the bill, he admits this one is personal because of his family history with alcoholism.
"You're right, I've had family members who've had the challenge of alcoholism. It concerns me," he told Tallahassee reporters.
The Governor's family struggles has been part of the persona of his past campaigns.
"I don't know my natural father. I grew up in public housing, " the Governor has said in prior interviews.
But the Governor is also facing the political reality that he has powerful friends on both sides of the liquor wall.
Publix is against selling booze in it's stores because it has spent millions over the years on building separate spaces selling liquor.
We followed the money and found the grocery chain has given thousands to Governor Rick Scott's campaigns. And just this January donated $50 thousand, right before the legislative session, to the governor's "let's get to work" political committee.
On the other side of the liquor wall is Walmart and Target. They want to "tear down that wall" because selling booze would boost their business.
And according to campaign finance records, the two big boxes gave Florida Politicians, including Governor Rick Scott, more than $100 thousand during the legislative session.
Also still on the governor's desk...the controversial education bill that critics say would divert money away from local schools and give more mone" to corporate backed charter schools. Supporters say it injects necessary competition into school districts with too many so called failure factories.
The Governor's Office says they still haven't received that bill.
