Analysis: Groups Spent $800M Lobbying Government Officials

ST. PAUL (AP) — A newspaper analysis has found that special interests have spent $800 million lobbying government officials in Minnesota over the last 13 years.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press review of Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board data also found that the amount of annual spending has doubled. Groups spent about $36 million on ads, salaries and other resources to influence government action in 2002, the first year spending had to be reported electronically. In 2013 they spent $74 million. In 2015, the last full year for which data was available, they spent $67 million.

The review found that business interests have consistently led the way in spending every year. Teachers union Education Minnesota has also been one of the top spenders. Local governments also have increased lobbying efforts.