by Peter Schorsch Another 15 lobbying firms booked between $250,000 and $499,999: BRIEFINGS FROM THE ROTUNDA
INDUSTRY VIEW
Cash Flow
Firms collect nearly $30 million in legislative lobbying fees during final quarter of 2014 Representing virtually every industry sector in Florida, registered legislative lobbying firms reported earning nearly $30 million during the final quarter of 2014. Led by four firms collecting $1 million or more in fees: Ballard Partners – $1,825,000 Southern Strategy Group – $1,580,000 Ronald Book PA – $1,320,000 Capital City Consulting – $1,070,000 32 lobbying firms brought in a combined $29,675,000 during October-December of last year. Six firms earned between $500,000 and $1 million: GrayRobinson PA – $705,000 Johnson & Blanton – $675,000 Corcoran & Johnston – $665,000 Metz Husband & Daughton PA – $600,000 Colodny Fass, P.A. – $575,000 Floridian Partners LLC – $520,000
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INFLUENCE
SPRING 2015
Greenberg Traurig PA – $470,000 Capitol Insight LLC – $380,000 The Mayernick Group LLC – $360,000 Spearman Management Inc. – $330,000 Becker & Poliakoff PA – $320,000 Anfield Consulting – $315,000 Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC – $305,000 PooleMcKinley – $305,000 Smith Bryan & Myers Inc. – $305,000 Advocacy Grp at Cardenas Ptnrs LLC – $305,000 Advantage Consulting Team – $275,000 Heffley & Associates – $270,000 The Fiorentino Group – $260,000 Gunster Yoakley & Stewart PA – $250,000 Pennington PA – $250,000 A number of clients also paid well for representation in Tallahassee, including members of the sugar industry: United States Sugar Corporation ($195,000) and Florida Crystals Corporation ($130,000). Big Sugar will be an important player in the debate over water resource conservation. Registered legislative lobbying clients reported a median of $27,120,000 paid during Q4. Topping the list of clients is telecommunications giant AT&T, with $310,000 in fees paid. AT&T is in the process of major expansions in Florida, including boosting 4G LTE coverage and upgrades of nearly 240 cell locations in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Other high-paying lobbying clients include gambling interests such as Las Vegas Sands Corp. ($95,000) and the Seminole Tribe of Florida ($80,000), utility companies like TECO Energy, Inc. ($125,000) and Florida Power & Light Company ($105,000), and health care providers including Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida ($105,000) and the Florida Hospital Association ($125,000). Although by law, lobbying firms must file quarterly compensation reports, reports show only firms’ total compensation in general ranges, making it difficult to get exact totals spent to lobby the state executive and legislative branches.