Minn. report: Local government lobbying up in 2009
A new report says local governments spent $8.8 million to lobby state legislators last year as their state allowances were cut.
The report released Wednesday by State Auditor Rebecca Otto says cities, counties, school districts and other local government agencies spent nearly 4 percent more on lobbying in 2009 than they did in 2008.
About half the spending came directly from local governments, with top spenders including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which has been pushing for a new Vikings stadium.
The other half came from associations such as the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota School Board Association.
Local governments and their associations are required to report lobbying expenditures to the state auditor annually.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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