NJ spending on lobbyists is up slightly

Spending on lobbying in New Jersey is up, but not by much.

Spending on lobbying in New Jersey is up, but not by much. [audio:100310PGLOBBY.mp3]

Total spending by lobbyists in the Garden State last year rose to a record $56-million. Election Law Enforcement Commission Executive Director Jeff Brindle says that’s 1% higher than the previous year.

Brindle: We attribute the small increase to economic conditions: the economic downturn that has taken place over the last couple of years. Lobbying is an industry, and just like all other industries, the economy does affect it.

Brindle says spending by lobbyists for such things as meals and trips for public officials dropped 56%. He says that’s because officials are more sensitive to public concerns about accepting gifts, and they want to avoid even the appearance of being influenced.