$4 Million worth of lobbying in 2004 - >35% increase over 2003

[Roland99]

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/WHAS11_TOPSTORY_LOBBYREPORT.1e8b4db27.html

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Corporations, lobbyists and interest groups spent $4.3 million during the recent legislative session -- more than half of that came from industries such as health care, pharmaceuticals, insurance, horses and gambling.

In 2003, lobbyists spent about $3 million during the 2003 session, nearly 50 percent less than this year's 29-day session that ended in March.

Experts said the reworking of the state's tax code addressed by the General Assembly brought about much of the spending.

Companies were interested in minimizing their taxes, said Anthony Wilhoit, executive director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, a group that tracks lobbying costs.

That's the one biggest problem with politics in general in America...lobbyists. I thought we were a government for the people, by the people. Not of the people by the lobbyists.

[ClintonTyree]

1. The republicans are in charge....

and the ONLY thing that greases the wheels of a republican administration is MONEY$$$$. The almighty dollar is their REAL god. For all of their phony piety and public displays of "righteousness", it all boils down to money.

[Roland99]

2. And we're seeing that on a national basis

The Party of Lincoln (and co-opting God in the process) is the Party of the Greenback.