(Editor’s note: This story was updated April 21 at 12:15 p.m. after the secretary of state’s office determined that some reported gifts didn’t qualify as such.)
[O]rganizations have spent nearly $8 million to try to influence policy throughout this legislative biennium, according to reports filed with the secretary of state’s office. That includes more than $7.66 million in compensation, $55,199 in gifts and $152,244 in other expenditures.
Four top Montpelier lobbying firms received $4.9 million, or 63 percent of all lobbyist compensation during that two-year period.
Those firms were MMR, with slightly more than $1.45 million; KSE Partners, at just under $1.4 million; Necrason Group, with slightly over $1.33 million; and Downs Rachlin Martin, which received $796,278.
The American Beverage Association was the top spender, though activity trailed off this session after passage of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages last year.
The association has sunk more than $745,000 into Vermont politics over two years, including $524,740 on advertising and $96,999 in telemarketing. An additional $48,000 was spent on compensation for lobbyists.
The Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization group, has spent heavily as the House and Senate grapple over whether and how marijuana should be legalized and regulated in the Green Mountain State.
The organization spent more than $60,000 on advertising this biennium, plus $76,071 on compensation for lobbyists. It also gave a gift of $1,000 by sponsoring an event for the Vermont Democratic Party.
There has been little action on gun control over the biennium, besides the passage of S.241 last session, a bill designed to keep guns away from dangerous criminals and people with severe mental illness.
Still, voices on both sides of the gun debate have spent moderate sums of money. Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by billionaire gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg, spent $10,630 on compensation for lobbyists, plus $65,818 on advertising.
Gun Sense Vermont, a Brattleboro-based gun control group, spent $50,875 on lobbyists and $9,401 on ads.
The National Rifle Association has spent just $13,510 on lobbyist compensation over the biennium. The Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the local affiliate of the NRA, spent $30,000 on lobbyists.
Other highlights:
- The Vermont Public Interest Research Group spent $255,431 on a cadre of 25 lobbyists. The group, which is active on a range of environmental, health and consumer protection issues, spent an additional $89,542 on various expenses, including $12,218 on telemarketing.
- The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems reported $318,588 in compensation for lobbyists.
- Entergy Nuclear, which owns the Vermont Yankee power plant, spent $210,330 on lobbyists.
- AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, spent $79,499 on lobbyists, plus $15,765 on advertising.
- Jay Peak Inc. spent $61,144 on lobbying.
