By:
Ethics Reporter - May Newsletter
Businesses and organizations spent close to $5.5 million lobbying during the recently-completed 2009 General Assembly. A significant majority of spending ($5.1 million) was paid as compensation to lobbyists employed by the businesses and organizations. Related expenses such as lobbyist travel and lodging, and phone banks accounted for about $266,000 of employer spending. About $77,000 was spent on receptions, meals and events to which groups of legislators were invited, and less than $34 was reported spent on food and beverages provided to individual legislators.
