Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2015

Federal law permits a significant lag time for political action committees in reporting specific candidate donations, often with waits as long as weeks or even months to say exactly who they gave cash. According to reporting by the Center for Public Integrity, Twitter’s emerging PAC, which is just beginning to make federal contributions, wants to […]

Peter SchorschOctober 30, 2015

With its compact with the state of Florida expired and now in federal court to protect its multibillion dollar gambling interests, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has retained one of Tallahassee’s most prominent governmental affairs firms. Floridian Partners, the lobbying shop headed up by Charlie Dudley, was inked this week to represent the Tribe before the […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 16, 2015

Florida House Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran is determined to rein in lobbyist influence on lawmakers, as evidenced by his speech to fellow legislators at his Wednesday designation ceremony. Corcoran, a Land O’Lakes Republican and current House budget chief, was formally selected to be the House of Representatives leader for 2016-18. “We must close the revolving door between the Legislature and […]

Florence SnyderMarch 8, 2015

In Casablanca, “Everybody goes to Rick’s” Cafe Americain. In Tallahassee, everybody goes to Andrew’s Capital Grill. Or Andrew goes to everybody, as he did last Monday night, personally attending to the feeding and watering of 1,200 of Associated Industries’ closest friends at its annual eve-of-session cocktail party. Andrew Reiss has been doing this since the […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Representing virtually every industry sector in Florida, registered legislative lobbying firms reported earning nearly $30 million during the final quarter of 2014. Led by four firms collecting $1 million or more in fees — Ballard Partners ($1,825,000), Southern Strategy Group ($1,580,000), Ronald Book PA ($1,320,000) and Capital City Consulting ($1,070,000) — 32 lobbying firms brought in […]

James CallFebruary 2, 2015

In two weeks Florida’s lobbying corps will know which firms will be subjected to state-mandated audits. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met Monday and laid out a time line for implementing a 10-year old law mandating audits of lobbying firms quarterly compensation reports. The firms to be audited will be selected Feb. 19 and the […]

James CallFebruary 2, 2015

In two weeks Florida’s lobbying corps will know which firms will be subjected to state-mandated audits. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met Monday and laid out a time line for implementing a 10-year old law mandating audits of lobbying firms quarterly compensation reports. The firms to be audited will be selected Feb. 19 and the […]

James CallJanuary 30, 2015

A Chicago, Atlanta, and two Tallahassee-based accounting firms have qualified to certify Florida lobbyists’ compensation reports. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee has qualified proposals from Chicago-based Grant Thornton, Atlanta’s Warrant Averett and Tallahassee-based Carroll and Company and the Carr, Riggs & Ingram firm for contracts to audit the reports. Last year more than $200 million […]

Darryl PaulsonFebruary 6, 2014

I am going to say a dirty word. Lobbyist. I am not sure if lobbyist ranks above or below politician, but both words evoke mistrust and derision. Even more shocking, I like most lobbyists and I respect what they do. When did you last read the Constitution? I would suggest reading the First Amendment. It […]

Peter SchorschOctober 8, 2013

When lobbyists Ron Book and Guy Spearman filed suit in 2006 to block enforcement of a law requiring lobbyists to report how much they are paid, it probably never occurred to them that the compensation reports they sought to keep private would one day be used as marketing tools. Book, Spearman, and other members of […]

Tag: lobbying

Twitter #PAC to blaze transparency trail in 2016, offer full disclosure on donations

Seminole Tribe of Florida lobbies up with hire of Floridian Partners

In designation speech, Richard Corcoran calls for major reforms to state lobbying laws

Florence Snyder: Andrew's, where lobbyists begin beautiful friendships

Firms collect nearly $30 million in legislative lobbying fees during final quarter of 2014

Lobbying firms will know February 19 whether they’ll be audited

Lobbying firms will know February 19 whether they'll be audited

Four CPA firms selected to audit lobbyists; examinations to begin in late February

Darryl Paulson: In defense of lobbying

Peter Schorsch: Rescind law that requires lobbyists to report how much they’re paid