New Spending Record Could Be Set For Lobbying

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Businesses and other groups could set a new spending record for lobbying Frankfort lawmakers this year.

Legislative Ethics Commission attorney John Schaaf said Friday more than $13 million has been spent already this year. He projected the total could top $17 million by year's end. That would be slightly more than the $16.9 million spent in 2008.

Organizations that have lobbyists in Frankfort are required to file periodic spending reports with the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Those reports show a growing number of Kentucky businesses and other organizations that have hired lobbyists to represent them at the Capitol to have input in legislation that might affect them.

Schaaf said spending on legislative lobbyists could soon reach three times the $6.5 million spent in 1994.