Phil Ammann
Uber, the ridesharing tech company, scored a rare win over Miami-Dade County, where it has faced a wall of resistance from county commissioners.
Ballard Partners, which had represented Miami-Dade in Tallahassee for several years, is dropping the county in favor of the San Francisco-based technology firm, which recently hired the lobbying firm for its Florida efforts.
The decision came after Miami-Dade denied a request for a conflict-of-interest waiver last week.
In a letter sent Monday to County Commission Chair Jean Monestime, Ballard Partners President Brian Ballard chose to keep the firm’s commitment to representing Uber.
“It has truly been an honor to represent Miami-Dade County for the last several years,” Ballard wrote, “and we hope that we will be able to do so in the future.”
As a lobbyist for the county, Ballard Partners is not responsible for state legislation regarding vehicles for hire, the letter states. However, “in an abundance of caution and transparency,” the firm requested the waiver to represent Uber, in the event any questions of conflict arose.
Since members of the Miami-Dade County lobbying team frequently represent a range of clients during annual legislative session, Ballard said there is bound to be certain issues that will not favor the county, if they become law.
Ballard noted that his firm does not directly represent Miami-Dade on ride-for-hire matters, and there is no legislation on the books for 2015 – yet — that would cause a conflict between the county and the Capitol.
Nevertheless, commissioners rejected Ballard’s request on Jan. 21, taking its cue from the county ethics commission.
“He is wonderful. He is incredible,” Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa told the Miami Herald. “But at the same time, we have a situation here.”
Ballard’s decision, at least in part, was the firm’s bottom line. The county pays the firm $50,000 a year for services; Uber’s lobbying contract would likely be much more lucrative.
Nevertheless, dropping Miami-Dade also appears to be more than money; Uber is also a transportation innovation that Ballard enthusiastically supports.
“Our firm believes strongly in the company’s technology and its services to the ride-sharing public,” the letter continued. “Uber Technologies’ smartphone application that connects independent drivers with individuals needing a ride is clearly the wave of the future in Florida and around the world.
“It’s a smart, clean and efficient means of transportation.”
