The business of lobbying is as big as ever in California – where special interests have already poured more than $143 million this year into efforts to schmooze, cajole and influence state lawmakers.
The spending report for the first six months of 2008 marks the second-highest such total in state history – topped only slightly by the $145 million spent in the first six months of 2006.
That year's total was inflated by a big-dollar lobbying effort – more than $38 million by AT&T and other telecommunications companies – pushing for access to California's lucrative cable market. The telecommunications companies were successful in their efforts.
As usual, the top lobbying spenders represent a who's who of influential interests in Sacramento.
Atop the list is the California Hospital Association, which reported spending $3.4 million in lobbying efforts so far this year. That sum pays for eight in-house lobbyists and contracts with three outside lobbying firms.
The hospitals' spending total was also driven up by a monthlong TV ad campaign opposing health care cuts in the state budget.
Thirteen groups have already spent at least $1 million in the first half of 2008 – from Blue Cross and AT&T to the League of California Cities and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
But as startling as the totals are for the biggest spenders, the sheer number of interest groups paying big money to influence the lawmaking process is impressive.
Nearly 250 groups reported spending at least $100,000 to lobby lawmakers in the first six months of the year. A total of 606 special interests – ranging from Internet giant Google to the Cigar Association of America – spent at least $50,000.
BIGGEST LOBBYING SPENDERS
Here's the list of the top 10 spenders on lobbying in the first six months of 2008, according to filings with the California secretary of state:
1. California Hospital Association: $3.405 million
2. California Teachers Association: $2.699 million
3. Western State Petroleum Association: $2.644 million
4. California State Council of Service Employees (SEIU): $2.555 million
5. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians: $2.113 million
6. Blue Cross of California: $2.044 million
7. California Chamber of Commerce: $1.467 million
8. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: $1.426 million
9. Golden State Water Co.: $1.189 million
10. AT&T: $1.168 million
Other interests in the $1 million spending club include the California Labor Federation ($1.16 million), the League of California Cities ($1.03 million) and the California Building Industry Association ($1.02 million).
– Shane Goldmacher, Bee Capitol Bureau
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