Opinion
City commissioner stands by underage drinking ordinance
By Jeanna Mastrodicasa | June 9, 2010Tuesday’s editorial asks the question about underage drinkers caught in bars: “Why doesn’t the city implement a huge fine and prohibit them from going into a bar again?” The answer is simple: in Florida, only the state legislature can make laws such as these, not local government. Local government can only do two things: regulate the hours, and regulate whether the bars can admit 18-20 year olds or if they have to be 21 and up. Only the state can take away a liquor license through an administrative proceeding or make harsher punishments for violating state laws.
