As Independence Day winds down, we note with interest Pioneer Press reporter Rachel Stassen Berger's article Lobbying in Minnesota: Spending has nearly doubled since 2002:
Since 2002, lobbying interests have spent nearly $800 million trying to influence government officials. The amount spent per year has doubled, and the number of new lobbying clients seeking to make themselves heard has tripled, according to a Pioneer Press analysis of Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board data. . . .
According to a Pioneer Press analysis, while the amount being spent has grown, the top spending sectors have remained remarkably stable. Business interests have dominated the top spenders on Minnesota lobbying every year. Their spending has subsumed about half of the total spending on lobbying every year since 2002.
Among businesses, utilities’ spending on lobbying rears largest, followed by the health industry.
The big kahunas in spending have also remained consistent. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, which has spent nearly $25 million on lobbying since 2002 on behalf of its thousands of business-member organizations, is a perpetual top spender. While its interests lay heavily on tax and regulatory policy, it also lobbies on transportation, education, environment and other issues.
Xcel Energy and, more recently, Enbridge Energy Partners, which seeks to construct a pipeline across Minnesota, are also in the top spenders list. . . .
Read the rest of the story at the Pioneer Press. There's not much more we can add, though we appreciate this conclusion:
“The worst thing that could happen for a lobbyist is there’s a vote and they didn’t know what you wanted. They may get your information and vote against you,” Lehman said. “Lobbyists don’t write laws … lobbyists write ideas. Lobbyists write suggestions.”
Oh.
Photo: A cash cat.
Bluestem Prairie is conducting its summer fundraising drive. If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient
Comments