WASHINGTON — In a year when Washington’s influence industry should be thriving, with epic battles over health care and energy legislation, lobbying in many sectors is in marked decline as defense contractors, real estate firms and other companies pull back in a down economy.
Washington also has 2,200 fewer registered lobbyists than it did a year ago, the lowest tally since shortly after President George W. Bush took office in January 2001. The main reason for the slump is the economy, according to many lobbyists and public-interest experts. Spending on lobbying more than doubled to $3.3 billion last year from $1.44 billion in 1999, according to disclosure records. The number of registered lobbyists also rose, peaking at more than 15,000 in 2007. That total has shrunk to 12,500.
Lobbying insiders say factors other than the economy are driving the numbers down. Trade groups and private corporations, for example, are increasingly pouring resources into television ads, grassroots organizing and other advocacy efforts not counted under the narrow definition of lobbying required for House and Senate disclosure forms.
The Washington Post
