By Sandra Fish<\/p>\n
Lobbyists and organizations feted New Mexico legislators and other officials with more than $519,000 worth of food, drink and gifts from Jan. 15 through the end of April.<\/p>\n
Of the 600 lobbyists registered with the Secretary of State\u2019s office to represent more than 750 clients, only 116 spent money during the session. Those individual lobbyists spent $334,419 on events such as the 100th Bill Party, electric toothbrushes, teddy bears, gift certificates and, in one instance, ammunition for concealed carry training.
\nAnd 14 companies spent $184,685.<\/p>\n
The $519,000 is the most spent by lobbyists and organizations in a single year over the period New Mexico In Depth analyzed — 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and this year through April 2015.<\/p>\n
The amount spent in the first four months of this year eclipses the $508,700 spent by lobbyists in all 12 months of 2013, the last 60-day session. It also exceeds the $291,000 spent over 12 months in 2011.
\nDespite the increase in lobbyist spending over the years, New Mexico does not require lobbyists to report certain specifics, including a detailed list of expenses — which would show how much they spend on individual lawmakers and public officials — and how much their employers pay them.<\/p>\n
New Mexico In Depth analyzed lobbyist reports filed May 1, which cover the recent 60-day legislative session. State law requires lobbyists to file disclosures of spending and campaign contributions each Jan. 15 and May 1.
\nCommon Cause of New Mexico spent the most overall during the session: $86,462 on an advertising and phone campaign to encourage lawmakers to pass a series of campaign finance and lobbying transparency bills. Few of the bills passed and others were watered down.<\/p>\n
But the effort was worth it, said Heather Ferguson, campaign manager for Common Cause. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen a significant increase in public awareness on these issues,\u201d Ferguson said.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at spending by employers:<\/p>\n