The Office of State Ethics released its 2009 Connecticut State of Lobbying Report this week and with it, revealed glimpses into the lobbying world. It’s nothing that mysterious really but some of the numbers are indicative of the public policy debates taking place here in Connecticut and indeed, around the nation.
Over 800 companies and organizations were registered to lobby in the state last year with 472 individual in-house lobbyists and 168 outside communicator lobbyists. Not surprisingly, health care was the issue that was at the top of the list followed by those who lobbied the budget (tax/spending), human services and the environment. The Connecticut Business and Industry Association spent the most dollars of any registrant on lobbying efforts in 2009. Northeast Utilities, AT&T and the CT Hospital Association followed as second, third and fourth in a year that was clearly focused on the healthcare reform debate and the impact of the budget on business.
In the past, we would have seen much larger numbers when it came to expenditures to benefit a public official – otherwise known as gifts. But ever since the scandals that rocked the capitol during the Rowland administration, lobbyists and public officials alike have pretty much steered clear of those. Companies and organizations certainly hold legislative receptions on occasion but the days of excessive spending on gifts are definitely over.
All in all, $38,588,006.20 was spent in 2009 on lobbying. Gaffney Bennett remains the highest grossing lobbying firm in the state with over $4.5 million in compensation for its lobbying practice.
To see the OSE full report, click here.
Tags: lobbyist, Office of State Ethics, top ten
