Florida Power & Light operates an exclusive, invite-only lounge for lawmakers and lobbyists
Revelations of the party space come as the company is mired in scandals over its aggressive approach to lobbying and public advocacy.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Consider it Tallahassee’s version of the fabled smoke-filled backroom.
Florida Power & Light, one of the state’s most politically powerful companies, operates an event space located on the third floor of the company’s $2 million, 13,000 square foot downtown Tallahassee offices. The building is nondescript and includes no signs that would indicate it’s owned by one of the largest power companies in the country. The third floor of the building, where the bar is located, has a series of large shutters that make its outdoor patio area impossible to see from the street level.
The exclusive lounge is used by company officials to host lobbyists and the lawmakers whose votes they need, according to more than six people familiar with the space.
“I have been invited to meetings and events at their offices and I follow the gift laws,” said state Rep. David Silvers (D-Lake Clarke Shores).
Florida Power & Light confirmed they utilize the space following inquiries by POLITICO.
“Just like many other companies, trade associations and other organizations in Tallahassee, NextEra Energy, FPL’s parent company, pays for a private meeting place in the city that’s used for internal and external company functions,” said Chris McGrath, a spokesperson for Florida Power & Light. “This space has been used for a number of years and all external functions conducted in the space are done in accordance with applicable laws.”
“Any applicable costs are paid for by NextEra Energy — not FPL customers,” he added.
Revelations of the party space, which has not previously been reported, come as the company is mired in scandals over its aggressive approach to lobbying and public advocacy. Among the most recent disclosures: The company tried to covertly influence state elections and set up news sites to attack critics and further its political agenda.
Six people who have visited the bar on multiple occasions describe it as one of the nicest venues in the city’s downtown, which is lined with upscale lounges that cater to the political class. Yet Florida Power & Light’s venue remains all-but unknown to the general public.
Several of the people said it’s frequented by powerful lawmakers and staff, most of whom are considered backers of FPL’s legislative agenda and are responsible for crafting legislation directly involving Florida Power & Light. They were granted anonymity to discuss the event space because they feared speaking out against the powerful company. Some work on Florida Power & Light’s contract lobbying team and are not authorized to speak to the media.
“That’s its purpose, it’s the ‘friends of the FPL program’ that are invited,” said one person who has attended the bar multiple times. “If you’re there you probably are already with them.”
State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), one of FPL’s biggest critics, said the energy company’s exclusive lounge raises concerns that Florida Power & Light is illicitly influencing lawmakers and violating the state’s gift ban and open meetings laws, which require public notice of gatherings when lawmakers discuss legislative business.
“I don’t understand why any electricity company needs a private, invite-only lounge for lawmakers that is next to the Florida Capitol,” Eskamani said. “Not only could this be a serious violation of Sunshine Laws and the legislature gift ban, but it all feeds into our collective concern that FPL uses corrupt business practices to influence politicians, buy out media outlets, and undermine democracy.”
“All while increasing utility rates on consumers,” she added.
One lobbyist who has been to the bar on multiple occasions described the location as having a “high-end fully stocked bar, big TV, fireplace I believe, a bunch of plush leather couches and a mix of FPL employees, lobbyists and legislators.” The bar itself is 1,278 square feet, and the space includes a separate 548 square foot lounge and an additional outdoor bar, according to city blueprints of the building reviewed by POLITICO.
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Now, I'm going to make a (very) old school Tallahassee pollical political reference few of y'all will get, but I must…
"What's next for FPL? A reboot of the Trailers?"https://t.co/seLOMKAxgM
Pound for pound, Tallahassee is global capitol of corruption.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) August 3, 2022
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