As the 2010 General Assembly session is ready to open Wednesday, the The Office of State Ethics has issued a new “State of Lobbying” report showing that lobbyists spent nearly $38.6 million in Connecticut during 2009.
Of that sum, with $32.2 million, or 83 percent of it, was invested in trying to influence the legislature, and the other $6.4 million went for lobbying of administrative agencies.
Among businesses and organizations, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association spent the most — $1.46 million — on lobbying, followed by Northeast Utilities at $954,645.
On the receiving end of payments for influencing legislation and government decisions, the lobbying firm Gaffney, Bennett & Associates, headed by Jay Malcynsky, was the clear leader at $4.5 million — followed by Sullivan & LeShane at $2.16 million and Robinson & Cole at $1.96 million.
The report, which includes charts and explanations of lobbying laws, also says that $24,285 was spent by lobbyists for the benefit of public officials.