Money and politics

Originally published Monday, March 4, 2002

About $30.1 million was spent last year on various lobbying activities, the majority of it going to salaries for the nearly 912 registered lobbyists at the Capitol. Smaller amounts of the spending went to contributions to campaigns, advertising campaigns, entertainment of lawmakers and other expenses.

Top expenses by lobbying firms in 2001 include:

- $1,096,247 by four lobbyists with Carney Badley Smith Spellman. Clients include North Coast Life Insurance Co., Abbott Laboratories, Associated Builders and Contractors, General Motors Corp., the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Pacific NW Ski Areas Association, Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America, Verizon, State Medical Association.

- $764,779 by two lobbyists with Boldt/Thatcher (with some work given to a third lobbyist). Clients include American Ecology Corp., Asarco, Auburn Regional Medical Center, Port of Tacoma, Segway LLC, Washington State Auto Dealers Association, Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts, Opticians Association of Washington, Washington State Hospital Association.

- $449,475 by two lobbyists with Hull & Austin Inc. Clients include Air Transport Association, Apple Computer Inc., Merck & Co. Inc., Providence Health System, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, Washington State Dental Association.

- $457,586 by two lobbyists with Bogard & Associates. Clients include 24 Hour Fitness USA, American Forest & Paper Association, Physical Therapy Association of Washington, 1/2 est, Seattle-King County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association.

- $441,399 by two lobbyists with Gano & Associates. Clients include Cingular Wireless, Goodrich Corp., Keybank of Washington, Philip Morris Inc. (including Miller Brewing Co.), Trendwest Resorts, Wells Fargo Bank.

Individual lobbyist expenses

- $411,990: David Michener, clients including Waste Management Inc., Washington Dental Association, Washington Soft Drink Association and Polaroid Corp.

- $398,282: Danny Coyne, clients including Far West Agribusiness Association Hewlett-Packard Co., Simpson Investment Co., Westfarm Foods, Williams Co.

- $336,157: Robert Makin, clients include Weyerhaeuser Co., Agbar Technologies, Associated Grocers, Chelan PUD 1, Washington Wholesale Druggist Association, Sabey Corp.

- $335,054: Jean Leonard, clients include Glaxo SmithKline, Puget Sound Energy, State Farm Insurance Cos., VoiceStream Wireless Corp., Washington Insurers, Washington Wine Institute.

- $317,752: Gregory Pierce, clients include Alcoa, AT&T, Laidlaw Transit, Port Blakely Tree Farms, Six Flags, Washington Forest Protection Association, Vulcan Northwest, Washington Roundtable.

- $277,632: Alan Ralston, Boeing Co.

- $274,157: Joe Daniels, clients include Philip Morris Inc. (and Miller Brewing Co.), Barr Laboratories Inc., city of SeaTac, Holland America Line Westours, San Juan County, United Food & Commercial Workers, Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.

- $262,152: Betty Means, AARP.

- $245,825: Kathleen Collins, clients include city of Shoreline, Pacificorp, Spokane Transit Authority, Tenaska Inc., Washington Self Insurers Association, Washington Water Policy Institute.

- $230,048: Cody Arledge, Washington State Council of Firefighters.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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