Each quarter, when lobbyists file mandated reports detailing their compensation before Florida’s legislature or executive branch, we take a close look at who is bringing in what and from where.
And each quarter, it is with quiet awe that we review the report from Southern Strategy Group — an impressive depiction of what to do right in the business of strategic consulting. The firm, complete with 24 of Florida’s brightest political minds, represented more than 170 clients before the Legislature and Executive Branch in the second quarter of 2014. This period spans April 1 through June 30, which means that it includes about half of Florida’s legislative session.
During this time, Southern Strategy Group represented some big guys — and some unique, less known interests too. The team reported compensation of $63,000 for legislative work on behalf of Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc.; and between $40,000 and $49,999 for their advocacy for Spectra Energy Transmission and TECO Energy, respectively. Chevron USA and US Airways Group each compensated the firm up to $39,999 for executive representation; as did Mosaic Fertilizer and the Assisted Living Federation of America, for legislative work.
But these are just the top paying clients for a firm that has reach within every industry sector in the state, offices across the country, and expertise in agency and budget processes like few others. No doubt, the more recent additions of executive branch experts, such as Jerry McDaniel, contribute to the firm’s ever deepening scope.
Indeed, Southern Strategy Group’s reported compensation of up to $4.7 million this quarter exceeds that reported during the second quarter of 2013 by over $1.3 million; and grew by up to $200,000 since the first quarter of 2014 alone.
