The Massachusetts legislature wrapped up its 2005–’06 session without taking action on auto-insurance reform — which is good news for the Massachusetts economy, because the lobbyists will be back spending more money on the issue next session. Lobbyists were good to Bay Staters this year. Auto-insurance-industry lobbyists have already spent more than $4 million on the issue since the start of this year, according to state records, with six of the state’s 10 biggest spenders lobbying primarily on that one issue (most for reform, some against). The state’s nurses union was another top-10 spender on the lobbying list, getting a staffing-level bill through the House — but so was the association of state hospitals, which defeated the bill in the state Senate.
Rounding out the top 10 in the first half of ’06 were MassEquality, which was fighting to defeat an amendment banning gay marriage, and the always high-spending Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Last year’s lobbying was dominated by groups seeking to influence the health-care reform legislation that ultimately passed this March. (See “Your Health is in Their Hands,” News and Features, March 16.) Those groups considerably decreased their spending this year — although they collectively still spent well over a million dollars.
For the 2005–’06 session as a whole, the health-care and auto-insurance bills put a new set of names atop the list of highest-spending lobbyists, as shown below. Many traditional lobbying powerhouses — Verizon, NSTAR, Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the pharmaceutical and tobacco companies — didn’t even make the top 20. But don’t worry; they’ll be back when they need something else.
Related:
Giving up, Sticking it to political reformers, Who are they talking to?, More 
- Giving up
Lobbyists in the Maine State House outnumber legislators and do everything from write laws to raise political-campaign funds, so regulating lobbyists has long been a progressive priority.
- Sticking it to political reformers
State House Dems don't get mad, they get even.
- Who are they talking to?
The most important legislators involved in reforming health care are, naturally, Senate president Robert E. Travaglini and Speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi, both of Boston.
- Freedom watch: Jailhouse bloc
With aromatic puffs of change, Bay State stoners rejoiced on Election Day.
- Everyone’s a neocon now
In the eight years I’ve covered the State House for the Portland Phoenix, I’ve been struck by the depressingly constant themes.
- We don’t need to whisper
My New Year’s resolutions.
- Stickin' it to the poor
The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a right-wing Portland think tank, has been bragging in news releases about how state leaders have followed its advice, approving a two-year state-government budget that, among other cuts, slashes school aid, programs for the needy, and state-employee pay.
- The blacks try to get back in the game
If ever there were a golden opportunity to increase black political representation in Rhode Island, it would be this fall’s City Council elections in Providence, home to the largest black community in the state.
- Gov: Cut services while I travel overseas
Lobbyists and campaign contributors are among the private interests paying for Governor John Baldacci’s upcoming trip to Asia, though the state forbids officials from accepting gifts.
- Jackpot
Three years ago, state government hired Scientific Games Corporation, its long-time lottery contractor, to monitor the slot-machine receipts at the state’s first casino.
- Make no mistake
Please note that David S. Bernstein's February 27 story "Capuano Cornered?" contains some inaccuracies.
- Less
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This Just In
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, U.S. Government, U.S. State Government, Politics, Political Policy, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Political Lobbyists, Less
