Peter Schorsch
When a lobbyist represents about 180 different clients, as Brian Ballard does, according to FloridaLobbyist.gov, it’s not unusual for a combination of clients to show up in the headlines of the day.
However, on Friday an unusually high number of interests repped by Ballard Partners made their way into the news, making for a very interesting day for the firm.
The day began with firm client Amazon offering same-day delivery in the Tampa Bay area. It ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a client because of the firm’s work for team owner and developer Jeff Vinik, winning a Game 7 playoff against the New York Rangers to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Clients Harris Corp. and Uber also made the news, as the former faces a new competitive threat from Airbus, while the latter asked to have its issues considered during the Special Session of the Florida Legislature.
Two of the biggest political stories on Friday created a roller coaster for the firm.
One moment the firm learns of Orlando City Soccer’s decision to privately fund construction of a new stadium, which possibly damages the chances of clients Daytona International Speedway and Jacksonville Jaguars to attract taxpayer support for its projects.
Five minutes later, a Florida appeal court ordered state regulators to award a license for slot machines to a facility located 25 miles west of Tallahassee. The ruling could have a wide impact because voters in Lee, Brevard and Palm Beach counties as well as the north Florida counties of Hamilton and Washington have approved similar referendums. Guess who represents the race track in Palm Beach — the Palm Beach Kennel Club — that’s likely to benefit from the ruling? That’s right, Ballard Partners.
“While I was reading a report from our lawyers about the slots decision,” Ballard told FloridaPolitics.com, “I got a call about Orlando walking away from the stadium deal.”
“An interesting Friday to say the least,” Ballard said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this post.
