Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 2:15pm EDT
Mark Holan
Staff Writer – Tampa Bay Business Journal
The Tampa Port Authority The Tampa Port Authority Latest from The Business Journals Tampa Port Authority updates cruise terminalTexas firm eyes Channelside, other distressed propertiesCSX, Kinder Morgan team up for ethanol hub at Port of Tampa Follow this company board of commissioners wants the maritime agency to consider developing a joint lobbying contract with Tampa International Airport Tampa International Airport Latest from The Business Journals ABC Charters to launch service to Holguin, CubaConnections of the WeekTampa International Airport director Lopano declines K raise Follow this company and the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority.
Commissioner William A. “Ho” Brown proposed the “sea, air and land group” as a way to secure more federal funding for Tampa Bay transportation agencies.
“Other areas in the state are doing that and they are whipping us pretty good,” Brown said.
He raised the idea while casting the lone vote against renewing the lobbying contract of Alcalde & Fay Alcalde & Fay Latest from The Business Journals SeaView engages lobbying support Follow this company , a Washington, D.C.-based law firm that has represented the port for three decades.
Brown said he is concerned the firm has as conflicts of interest, since it also represents the Miami, Jacksonville and Manatee ports.
Firm partner Lois Moore denied those contracts conflict with representing Tampa. She emphasized the firm’s experience and business connections in the cruise ship and maritime industry.
The firm helped secure $6 million in federal dredging funds for fiscal 2011 and $9.3 million for fiscal 2012, according to port data.
Hillsborough County Commissioner and port board member Sandra Murman said dropping the firm at a time when federal money is tight “would be very injurious” to the port.
She backed Brown’s proposal to explore joint lobbying efforts.
The port’s one-year contract with the law firm is worth $90,000.
