Teachers, insurers lead in lobbying expenses

"Features"

06/21/2007

Newly filed reports show that a new group financed by the insurance industry spent nearly $1 million on lobbying.


By Brian Bakst,
Associated Press
Last update: June 21, 2007


An insurance industry-financed group that didn't even exist until the final weeks of the legislative session plowed just shy of $1 million into an aggressive lobbying campaign.

It turned out to be money well spent: Lawmakers went home without making it easier for consumers to sue insurance companies they feel wronged by.

Newly filed reports with state regulators put Minnesotans Against Fraud & Higher Insurance Costs in the top ranks of lobbying groups. Only the state teachers union, Education Minnesota, spent more. The insurance group's efforts included an advertising and mailing blitz urging defeat of legislation the group argued would push up insurance premiums and encourage frivolous lawsuits.

The group spent about 250 times more than its main opposing force -- the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association. The trial lawyers group, which has since changed its name to the Minnesota Association for Justice, reported spending $3,980.

Lobbyists are required to report their spending on advertising, travel, food and beverages and preparation of materials, among other things. They operate largely on an honor system.

Education Minnesota also invested heavily in lobbying this year, primarily through a TV ad campaign telling viewers not to stand for mediocrity in school funding. All told, the union spent about $1.1 million from Jan. 1 to May 31.

According to reports filed with the campaign board, spending by interests with a heavy Capitol presence also included:

• Anti-smoking forces pushing a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. ClearWay Minnesota snk $122,902 into an effort helped along by the American Cancer Society and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, which spent $96,351 and $81,890 respectively.

• Contractors and builders unions pushing for more road construction dollars. Their coalition, the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, spent $326,211.

• Umbrella business groups. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce led the way with $340,763 in lobbying costs, followed by $252,589 from the Minnesota Business Partnership. On its own, 3M Co. topped $400,000 in lobbying, but most of that was to influence action at state agencies and not bills at the Legislature.