Firms pull in hundreds of thousands in lobbying fees

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

With lobbyists facing a Sunday deadline for filing information about their compensation, two firms in recent days have reported getting paid at least $500,000 for legislative work during the year's second quarter. The firms Johnson & Blanton and Smith Bryan & Myers each reported earning between $500,000 and $999,999 from April 1 to June 30, according to information posted on a state website. Lobbying firms are required to file quarterly compensation reports, though the information typically is reported in ranges. Sunday is the deadline for second-quarter reports. Johnson & Blanton and Smith Bryan & Myers each have numerous clients --- and overlap on some work. For example, the Florida Hospital Association paid between $30,000 and $39,999 to Johnson & Blanton and $20,000 to $29,999 to Smith Bryan & Myers for legislative work during the second quarter. Similarly, the Florida Health Care Association paid each firm $10,000 to $19,999, the reports show. Meanwhile, at least four lobbying firms during the past week have reported earning between $250,000 and $499,999 for legislative lobbying during the quarter. Those firms are Anfield Consulting, Colodny Fass, PooleMcKinley and Spearman Management, according to the state website.