MINNESOTA STATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD LOBBYING DISBURSEMENT SUMMARY JUNE 2004 - MAY 2005 Issued: July 2005 Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board Suite 190, Centennial Building 658 Cedar Street St. Paul MN 55155-1603 Telephone: 651/296-5148 or 800/657-3889 Fax: 651/296-1722 Email: [email protected] Worldwide website: http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 651/296-5148, 800/657-3889, or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 800/627-3529. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................1 Lobbying Overview...................................................................................................................................3 What is Lobbying...................................................................................................................................3 Who is a Lobbyist..................................................................................................................................3 About Lobbyist Registration..................................................................................................................4 Principal.................................................................................................................................................4 Reports due...........................................................................................................................................4 Types of Lobbying..................................................................................................................................4 Comparisons of Total Lobbying Disbursements .....................................................................................5 Other Sources of Funds for Lobbying Purposes .............................................................................7 Definition............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Disclosure ..........................................................................................................................................7 List of Sources.................................................................................................................................................. 9 Reported Items or Benefits to Public and Local Officials ...............................................................17 Definitions .........................................................................................................................................17 Disclosure .........................................................................................................................................17 List of Reported Items or Benefits to Public and Local Officials ......................................................... 19 Lists of Entities Which Reported Making the Largest Amount of Disbursements ..........................33 Total Disbursements ...................................................................................................................35 Administrative Action...................................................................................................................36 Legislative Action ........................................................................................................................37 Metropolitan Governmental Unit Action.......................................................................................38 Associations, Lobbyists, and Total Disbursements........................................................................39 Reporting Categories........................................................................................................................39 Total Lobbying Disbursements .........................................................................................................40 List of Associations, Lobbyists, and Total Disbursements ..........................................................41 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Minnesota's Ethics in Government Act (Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A) requires lobbyists to report disbursements for lobbying purposes to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board two times a year. This summary is based on reports for lobbying disbursements made from June, 2004, through May, 2005. Lobbyists filed a total of 3,324 periodic reports for the twelve-month period. Disbursement reports were submitted on behalf of: • 1,227 lobbyists; • representing 1,242 associations and individuals; and • reporting a total of $14,728,737 spent on lobbying activities. Lobbyists reported that 876 (70%) of the 1,242 associations and individuals represented made disbursements for lobbying purposes. The reports disclosed that of the total disbursements 91% were for legislative lobbying, 5% were for administrative lobbying, and 4% were to influence the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit. See page 5 for a comparison of total lobbying disbursements by type of lobbying reported in the last three reporting years and total lobbying expenditures reported by lobbyist principals for the last three calendar years. Lobbyists must disclose honorariums, gifts, loans, items or benefits equal in value to $5 or more given or paid to a public or local official from the lobbyist, the lobbyist’s employer, or an employee of the lobbyist. Thirty-one associations and one lobbyist reported giving items or benefits totaling $19,742 to 206 legislators, two constitutional officers, 59 local and public officials, three constitutional office employees, and 165 legislative employees. See page 17 for definitions. Lobbyists are not required to disclose their salaries or their political contributions. Lobbyists for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities reported the largest total disbursements during the period and the largest total disbursements for legislative action lobbying. Lobbyists for CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation reported the largest disbursements for administrative action lobbying and lobbyists for American Cancer Society Minnesota Division reported the largest disbursements in attempts to influence metropolitan governmental units. Complete lists of the 50 entities which reported making the largest amount of disbursements and the largest amount of disbursements by type of lobbying begins on page 33. Lobbyist principals reported making expenditures of approximately $50,237,111 during 2004 for lobbying purposes. This amount Includes lobbyist salaries, advertising and public relations campaigns, and all other lobbying disbursements made by the principal or lobbyist. The Board summary also includes a list of: • individuals or associations that contributed over $500 to associations to be used for lobbying purposes (see page 7); and • associations and the lobbyists that represented each association during the reporting periods covered, and the total amount of disbursements made (see page 39). Information in this summary is based on reports filed by lobbyists registered with the Board and the 2004 Annual Report of Lobbyist Principal report. The information has not been verified or audited. Lobbyist reports are available for public inspection at the Board office. Information compiled as of July 26, 2005. 1 2 LOBBYING OVERVIEW What is lobbying Lobbying is attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the action of a metropolitan governmental unit by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or local officials in metropolitan governmental units. Any activity that directly supports this communication is considered a part of lobbying. Who is a lobbyist For the purpose of this summary, “lobbyist” means: 1) An individual who is engaged for pay or other consideration of more than $3,000 from all sources in a year for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or local officials. 2) An individual who is not compensated for more than $3,000 but spends more than $250 in any year (not including travel expenses and membership dues) for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or local officials. 3) A nonelected local official or an employee of a political subdivision who spends more than 50 hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit, other than the political subdivision employing the official or employee, by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public or local officials, including time spent monitoring any of the forenamed actions and related research, analysis, and compilation and dissemination of information relating to legislative, administrative, or metropolitan governmental unit policies in Minnesota. An individual who merely communicates with a public official to obtain information or request an interpretation of a law, rule or agency action is not a "lobbyist". An individual who volunteers personal time to work without pay on a lobbying campaign and does not spend more than $250 on lobbying