It has already been a good year for South Florida super-lobbyist Ron Book, who — along with Rana Brown and Kelly Mallette—brought in first quarter 2014 estimated revenues of more than $2.2 million.
In Q1 2014, Book filed estimated maximum earnings of $1,691,929 in legislative fees, $539,946 for executive advocacy, for a total of up to $2,231,875.
Book’s single biggest paydays in Q1 were Deerfield Beach-based environmental services contractor AshBritt and auto retailer AutoNation Inc., with each giving the firm $68,000 for legislative representation. The two companies also spent up to $9,999 for executive lobbying.
With a strong focus on the Miami-Dade region, Book’s next largest legislative clients include $56,000 from the Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis; and up to $49,999 from SkyRise Miami, the controversial $430 million observation tower beginning construction on the downtown Miami waterfront; and Southwest Florida Enterprises, a gambling interest group.
Book also received up to $39,999 in legislative fees from the Florida Taxicab Association, putting the firm in the middle of the debate over Uber — the on-demand towncar service — and its push to enter the Miami-Dade market. In the 2014 session, taxi companies successfully resisted Uber’s legislative efforts to change outdated regulations on taxis and limousines, so the tech innovator could gain a larger foothold in Florida.
Other clients spending less than $9,999 with Book in Q1 2014 include:
- The Advocate Program, a Miami-Dade social development and public safety foundation
- Assurance Financial Partners, LLC
- Atlantic Pacific Communities
- Bail Agents Independent League of Florida
- Bal Harbour Village
- Biscayne Bay Pilots
- Broward County
- Carlisle Development Group, LLC, one of the county’s largest affordable housing developers
