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Lobbying expenses shot up 52 percent last year
Lobbyists were busy in Columbus last year as legislators and Gov. Ted Strickland hammered out the $52.3 billion two-year state budget.
Overall lobbying expenditures shot up by more than 52 percent from 2006 - from $349,756 to $533,150, according to a report released last Tuesday, March 18, by the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.
The amount spend on lobbying usually goes up in budget years, said Tony Bledsoe, legislative inspector general.
The totals include money spent on receptions, meals, awards and similar items but does not include direct contributions to candidates and legislative caucuses or the actual fees paid to lobbyists.
The top three spending groups were: the Wholesale Beer and Wine Association, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Equality Ohio, which advocates for fair treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens.
The Top Ten groups in spending in 2007 were:
Wholesale Beer and Wine Association - $31,270
Ohio Chamber of Commerce - $26,946
Equality Ohio - $20,845
Ohio Library Council - $19,107
Ohio Association of Realtors - $17,685
Ohio Children’s Hospital Association - $12,063
Ohio Environmental Council - $10,951
Ohio Chemistry Technology Council - $10,776
PolymerOhio Networks, Inc. - $9,502
Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association - $8,724
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