Local governments spent $8.8 million lobbying Legislature in 2009

Posted at 11:18 AM on May 26, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, MN Legislature

A report by the State Auditor says cities, counties, local government organizations and other groups spent $8.8 million lobbying the Legislature in 2009. The report found that 78 local governments spent $4.4 million to hire lobbyists to influence the Legislature. Another $4.4 million was spent on staff and contract lobbyists to lobby the Legislature.

Here are the top five spenders by governmental unit:

1) City of Minneapolis $450,552
2) Hennepin County $303,943
3) Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency $292,134
4) City of Saint Paul $218,805
5) Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission $218,317

Here are the top five spending contract lobbyists:

1) Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities $752,853
2) League of Minnesota Cities $624,452
3) Minnesota School Board Association $614,804
4) Schools for Equity in Education $208,365
5) North Metro Mayors Association $204,519

MPR did a story on local government lobbying last year. Between 2003 and 2009, local governments spent $52 million lobbying the State Legislature.

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