ROCHESTER (AP) - Mayo Clinic spent nearly half a million on lobbying at the state Capitol last year.

According to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board's website, it's the largest amount the clinic has spent on lobbying since 2007.

Mayo spokesman Bryan Anderson says most of the lobbying money was spent on the clinic's efforts to pass Destination Medical Center, the largest economic development project in state history.

Mayo's lobbying paid off. The Legislature and the governor approved a $585 million funding package for public infrastructure to support Mayo Clinic's 20-year, $6 billion expansion.

The clinic's $480,000 expenditure puts it in 15th place on the lobbying list.  The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce spent the most on lobbying last year with a total of about $2 million.

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