Peter Schorsch
The latest edition of the 4th Floor Files speaks with veteran lobbyist Harold “Trey” Price, founder of Price Point Strategies.
Price Point specializes in several diverse areas: state and local taxation, property rights, housing and development, healthcare policy, and appropriation procurement. Among Price’s clients are the Florida Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Valuation Advocacy Association, based in Washington D.C.
Here is the file on “Trey” Price:
Significant other? Children? Grand kids?
My brilliant and beautiful wife, Tara, and I were blessed with our son, Jack, in May of 2014.
In 25 words or less, explain what you do.
I help people and companies successfully navigate state and local government bureaucracies to resolve the issues and problems that they face.
Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion.
I’m not a big fan of intrusive government meddling in our personal lives, or in business and commerce, so politically, I think that puts me in what I’ll call the “reasonable center.”
If you have one, what is your motto?
“It’s not over until the hanky drops. And even then, it’s not over.”
During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client?
Now that I have opened my own lobbying firm, I can begin representing pro bono clients. One issue that I am very passionate about is availability of decent housing for low-income families, the elderly, and the homeless. Every working (or retired), law-abiding person deserves a study roof over their heads.
Three favorite charities.
The American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Any last-day-of-Session traditions?
I wear a pink tie and carnation for my late friend, Marvin Arrington, and I celebrate the end of session with a dry vodka martini at the Governor’s Club Lounge.
What are you most looking forward to during the Legislative Session?
I’m really looking forward to working on my clients’ behalf at my own firm. I started with a law/lobbying firm after college and spent 15 regular sessions working in-house as a lobbyist for an association. It has been very exciting to create my own firm this summer and work for my clients. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be …
Hopefully, my own soon! But seriously, I admire anyone who has a decent list of respected clients, and is not conflicted between their clients, but he or she is still able to go home and read their children stories at bedtime every night.
Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud?
Working to shepherd 2008’s property tax Amendment 1 — which took many tries, many ideas, and many egos, and ultimately 60% of Florida voters — into Florida’s Constitution.
Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not?
I don’t own a pair of Gucci anything. Plus, it’s tough to kick a little ass in loafers — so it’s hard dress shoes for me.
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why?
I work hard to maintain good relationships with everyone in Florida’s Capitol Press Corps. But I’ll always have a special memory of the time that Brendan Farrington, of the Associated Press, and I helped put a dent in some of Tobacco Road’s last few alcohol bottles before they closed in Miami last fall.
Other than SaintPetersBlog.com, your reading list includes …
For Florida and national news, I read Sayfie Review, Caputo’s and Allen’s Playbooks from Politico, and the major daily newspapers. I’m constantly checking my phone for news.
What swear word do you use most often?
I’ve scaled back on using any swear words (at least, at home) as little Jack is going to be talking soon!
What is your most treasured possession?
In this business, your reputation and character are crucial if you want to be effective for the long haul—at any rate, I consider them my most important possessions. If the question were a little different, I would say my family. But I don’t think people are “possessions”.
The best hotel in Florida is…
Lots of great choices here—my wife may kill me for not saying Disney’s Grand Floridian, but it’s hard to beat The Breakers in Palm Beach.
You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear?
I’d invite State Senators Negron and Latvala for a frank discussion on the Florida Senate; Mac Stipanovich for historical and pithy quotes, and John Sowinski — one of the smartest minds in Florida politics the average Floridian doesn’t know.
Favorite movie.
Though it took some historical liberties, Braveheart is a pretty amazing flick.
When you pig out, what do you eat?
My grandfather, Jack Fry, always had a thick steak for us the first night we’d visit him at his ranch near the Everglades in Hendry County. That tradition lives on at our home when we celebrate great days.
If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be?
That’s a tough choice, but I’ll go with former President John Adams. His life was incredibly fascinating, and we could talk about the Framers’ vision for America and how their “American experiment” has worked in the last 200+ years.
