Texas Lobbyists Collected $345 Million in 2011

[TexasTowelie]

Texas lobbyists collected up to about $345 million to influence lawmakers while the state Legislature was in session last year.

But Texans for Public Justice says that's only a small increase from a maximum near $344 million spent on lobbying during the last legislative session in 2009.

In a report released Wednesday, the watchdog group said it's difficult to pinpoint exact values for lobbying contracts. Still, 1,836 lobbyists collected a minimum $169.1 million and maximum $345.4 million from 2,908 clients in 2011.

In 2009, 1,690 lobbyists got between $167.4 million and $343.6 million from 2,866 clients.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/Texas-Lobbyists-Collected-345-Million-in-2011-139369918.html

[font color=violet]The largest contributors were AT&T and Energy Future Holdings Corporation.[/font]

[sonias]

1. TPJ is an excellent watchdog group

Now for the bad news... most Texas voters don't give a crap. It's almost like this quid pro quo behavior of corrupt politics is the norm in Texas.