Lobbyists haul in $120M in 2012

Lobbyists that represent businesses and governments in Tallahassee before the Florida Legislature took in more than $120 million in fees in 2012.

Any lobbying firm that does work in the state capital must file quarterly reports that document their fees and clients, according to a News Service of Florida report. More than 50 entities, from small businesses to trade groups to county governments, spent at least $250,000 on lobbyists in 2012. Three companies that spent heavily on lobbying efforts, according to the news service, include AT&T, which spent about $1.35 million; United States Sugar Corp., which spent about $855,000; and Florida Power & Light, which spent about $590,000.

Several prominent lobbying shops, meanwhile, collected more than $1 million for work. Three of those firms — Ballard Partners, Ronald L. Book PA and Southern Strategy Group — took in at least $1 million in each quarter of 2012, the news service reports.

The gambling industry spent a significant amount of money on lobbying efforts, too. Bayfront 2011 Development LLC, for example, a subsidiary of international casino business Genting, spent just less than $1 million, according to the news service. Genting has sought approvals to build large resort casinos in Miami, though a bill permitting the gambling was rejected in the 2012 legislative session.