Four lobbying firms top $1M for legislative work

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Four lobbying firms were paid at least $1 million during the third quarter of the year for representing clients before the Legislature, according to newly filed reports. The firms --- Ballard Partners, Capital City Consulting, Ronald L. Book PA and Southern Strategy Group --- each represent dozens of clients in Tallahassee and typically are among the lobbying shops that pull in the most money. Lobbying firms were required to submit reports by Saturday giving at least a broad idea of how much they were compensated between July 1 and Sept. 30. In all, firms were paid more than $30 million for lobbying the Legislature during the period, according to an estimate in a state-generated report. The exact amounts that firms earn are not detailed because the reports generally show income in ranges. But the reports filed by the four highest firms give an indication of some of the larger amounts paid during the quarter. For example, Capital City Consulting reported earning $86,000 for its legislative work on behalf of the casino company Las Vegas Sands. As another example, Ballard Partners reported getting paid $77,000 by Florida East Coast Industries.