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Lobbyists Spent Record Dollars in First Month of 2017 Session

Although the Kentucky General Assembly met for only five days in January, lobbyist spending broke a record for the first month of an odd-year session. 

Lobbyists spent $2.1 million in the five days kicking off the session before lawmakers recessed until February.  This year’s total is a 14% increase from the $1.8 million spent in the first month of 2015, the previous odd-year session. 

According to the Legislative Ethics Commission, January 2017 spending almost reached the total spent in January 2016 when lawmakers were in session for the entire month.  In the first month of the current session, the top spender was the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, which paid $41,000 in lobbyist compensation, more than the Chamber has ever paid in one month.  The Chamber’s 20 lobbyists worked on five bills, including four that passed in the session’s first week.  Among the legislation, were bills making Kentucky a right-to-work state and repealing the state’s prevailing wage law. 

Other top lobbyist spenders for the first month of the session include:

Altria (Phillip Morris) $28,122

Marsy's Law for All $24,598

Kentucky Pipes Trade Association $22,216

Kentucky Bankers Association $18,080

Kentucky Hospital Association $17,816

Copyright 2017 WKU Public Radio

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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