Eskamani Opposes Bill Relieving Fees On Small Business Liquor Licensing

   State Representative Anna Eskamani opposed a bill recently introduced by State Representative Rene Plasencia supporting small business liquor licesning. Plasencia, an Orlando area Republican, introduced the bill to the Orange County Legislative Delegation which passed 9-0. Permitting an exemption from current rules for smaller dining establishments to access licenses for a fraction of the current fee.

   Among the current recipients of the exemption, were the bill to pass: College Park, Audubon Park, Ivanhoe Village, the Milk District, Mills 50 and the Gateway District. "Many of the old buildings are being renovated and turned into restaurants," Plasencia said.

   Under present rules, dining establishment must be 2,500 square feet and maintain the capacity to service 150 people at a minimum. The cost of the license: $2,000, a price which many business owners interested in expanding say they can't afford. Plasencia hopes to lower the standard licesnsing requirements to 1,800 sf and 80 sf in an effort to garner more small business growth. The State Rep. passed a sister bill in 2018 allowing for the same reductions in the downtown area.

   Reps. Travaris "Tray" McCurdy and Anna Eskamani, opposed the locations selected by Plasencia: "The line that divides my district and McCurdy's district is a line of 'majority-minority' community, that also should be able to partake in any type of expansions that Orlando wants to pursue..."

   One local politico didn't find that surprising: "She's just mad that the legislation impacts her district and she didn't think of it first. What it shows is that the Representative really only cares about her personal political interests.

   After Eskamani's retort, Plasencia pledged that the bill would be changed to be incusive of other areas, including Parramore, an area already receiving Federal subsidies under former President Donald Trump's Opportunity Zone carve out.

  Plasencia stated that his bill promoted the history and architecture of Orlando districts currently under consideration. Other Representatives' objections to the bill may kill the legislation, as some lawmakers now push for the language to be incorporative of the entire state. 

   With the selectivity of the bill's targeted locations in question, Plasencia feels the legislation would benefit many growing and underserved areas alike: "A lot of older places in the state of Florida could benefit," Plasencia said, "if they don't already have their own local bill." A pro-business Republican, Plasencia has worked hard during his tenure in the State House to advance economic opportunity and job growth for the citizens of Florida and his constituents.