Research Symposium

BIO

Sophie Scherer is a sophomore studying political science and criminology on a pre-law track.
Sophie currently serves as a legislative intern in the Florida House of Representatives and as the Vice President of Administration for Delta Zeta. She would like to thank her research mentor, Dr. James Strickland, for his guidance and support throughout UROP.

Transparency in Florida Lobbying

Abstract

Lobbying and County Government
• Lobbying is the process through which individuals and organizations influence government decisions.
• Florida requires lobbyists to register at the state level, but several counties maintain their own systems.
• Counties make decisions about land use, development, and public services, making accountability essential.
County Registration Systems
• Large counties such as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough maintain formal registration systems.
• Smaller counties including Lee and Alachua also require lobbyist disclosure.
Problem and Purpose of the Study
• County lobbyist records are not standardized.
• Differences in formatting and accessibility limit the public's ability to track lobbying activity.
• This study compares counties of different sizes to evaluate transparency and accessibility.
• Little to no scholarly research has examined county-level lobbying practices in Florida.

Keywords: Lobbying, Government Transparency, Lobbying Records, Lobbyist Registration