Southern Strategy Group earns more than $2 million for legislative lobbying in Q2

Southern Strategy Group remains one of the top government affairs firms in the Sunshine State.

The Tallahassee-based firm reported second quarter median compensation of more than $2.1 million for its legislative services. Those median earnings mean the firm will once again be among the Top 3 earners in the state.

Firms must file compensation reports each quarter, and the most recent reports were due Sunday. The reports list a firm’s clients, and typically include compensation ranges.

One of the firm’s top clients during the second quarter was MCNA Dental Plans. Records show the company paid between $40,000 and $49,999 for legislative services between April 1 and June 30.

Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott signed into a law a bill that carved out dental services from a list of mandated benefits Medicaid managed care plans needed to provide the poor. The legislation was backed by MCNA Dental, which lost its state dental contracts after the state passed a law required Medicaid beneficiaries to use managed care plans.

Records show Spectra Energy Transmission and TECO Energy also paid between $40,000 and $49,999 for legislative services during the second quarter.

Other clients included The Vestcor Companies, which reportedly paid $55,000 during the second quarter; Mosaic Fertilizer, Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care, Inc., and United Insurance Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, which records show paid between $30,000 and $39,999 for legislative services; and American Traffic Solutions, Motorola Solutions, and Tenet Healthcare Corp., all of which reportedly paid between $20,000 and $29,999 for legislative services.

Led by owner Paul Bradshaw and Chris Dudley, the team at Southern Strategy Group is made up of George Anderson, Thomas Arnold, Laura Boehmer, Matt Brockelman, Caitlin Brongel, David Browning, Edgar Castro, Kelly Cohen, Nelson Diaz, Mercer Fearington, Sarrah Glassner, Deno Hicks, Jerry Lee McDaniel, James McFaddin, R. Paul Mitchell, Jonathan Setzer, David Shepp, Clark Smith, Jim Smith, and Monte Stevens.

Southern Strategy Group is consistent among the top performing firms in the state. During the first quarter of 2016, the firm reported a median earning of more than $2.2 million.