Who Is Buying Albany? Lobbying by the Numbers
DDDB has sent out an email reporting that the NY State Lobbying Report is out and Forest City Ratner was in the top three of lobbying spenders dolling out $2.11 Million, including a single $656,520 contract in 2006.
But that is not the complete story. This lobbying report has a lot more great numbers.
Only the trial lawyers in that list have not be using the power of the state to land grab someone else's property.
But that's only half the story
Stacked with unions...health care unions. This is not a big surprise actually - the health care unions are well known to be big lobbying spenders, but its a good reminder that lobbying is used by big powerful organizations in all forms.
BTW - In 2005 Madison Square Garden and the Jets were ranked high as big spenders - small wonder with the Westside Stadium hanging in the balance.
But that is not the complete story. This lobbying report has a lot more great numbers.
Here are the top 7 contracts for 2006:
| FRIED FRANK HARRIS SHRIVER & JACOBSON, LLP | FOREST CITY RATNER COMPANIES | $656,520 |
| KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS & FRANKEL, LLP | TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA U. IN NYC | $527,875 |
| MALKIN & ROSS | TRAIL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (NYS) | $392,473 |
| FRIED FRANK HARRIS SHRIVER & JACOBSON, LLP | YANKEES PARTNERSHIP (NY) | $322,395 |
| POWERS & COMPANY | YANKEES PARTNERSHIP (NY) | $321,251 |
| MIRRAM GROUP, LLC (THE) | YANKEES PARTNERSHIP (NY) | $301,900 |
Only the trial lawyers in that list have not be using the power of the state to land grab someone else's property.
But that's only half the story
Here are the top 10 lobbying spenders overall:
| 1. Healthcare Association of NYS | $2,226,576 |
| 2. Verizon | $2,153,821 |
| 3. Forest City Ratner Companies | $2,105,141 |
| 4. United Teachers (NYS) | $1,685,015 |
| 5. Medical Society of the State of NY | $1,519,988 |
| 6. Public Employees Federation | $1,285,703 |
| 7. Greater NY Hospital Association | $1,212,562 |
| 8. Yankees Partnership (NY) | $1,124,589 |
| 9. Civil Service Employee Association & CSEA PAC | $985,148 |
| 10. United Federation of Teachers | $890,181 |
Stacked with unions...health care unions. This is not a big surprise actually - the health care unions are well known to be big lobbying spenders, but its a good reminder that lobbying is used by big powerful organizations in all forms.
BTW - In 2005 Madison Square Garden and the Jets were ranked high as big spenders - small wonder with the Westside Stadium hanging in the balance.
Lobbying growth overall btw, like a nuclear rocket!:
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