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California campaign watchdog group won’t investigate sex scandal involving assemblyman

Calif. watchdog won’t investigate sex scandal

Iowa legislators says pharmacy group broke lobbying rules but won’t sanction organization

Iowa panel won’t sanction pharmacy group

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa pharmacy group violated lobbying reporting rules but will not be sanctioned for it — though legislators said Wednesday they wanted to overhaul the law to bring more transparency to the system.

Indiana House speaker proposes new rules to slow revolving door of lawmakers-turned-lobbyists

Ind. House speaker proposes lobbying restrictions

American Electric Power spent nearly $1.5 million in 3rd quarter lobbying government

AEP spent nearly $1.5M lobbying gov’t in 3Q

Edison Electric Institute spent nearly $2.7 million lobbying on energy issues in third quarter

Utility group spent $2.7M lobbying gov’t in 3Q

New York commission reaches $60,000 settlement with lobbyists for violations

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York’s Commission on Public Integrity says it has settled nine complaints against three related lobbying firms for violations in 2003 and 2004 for $60,000.

Lobbying by insurance group, some big drug firms up as health care debate intensifies

WASHINGTON — The nation’s health insurance companies have ramped up their lobbying as the battle over reshaping the health care system has escalated.

House committee agrees to allow states to provide their own oversight of big banks

WASHINGTON — The House Financial Services Committee agreed Wednesday to ensure states can impose their own tough consumer protection laws against big banks, dealing a blow to a financial industry blamed for bringing down the U.S. economy and lobbying furiously against more government oversight.

US Chamber of Commerce spends a record $34.7 million lobbying in the third quarter

WASHINGTON — Losing key members and facing political headwinds, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent a record $34.7 million in the third quarter lobbying against the Obama administration’s proposals to overhaul energy policy, financial regulation and health care.

Some bailed-out firms spent less on lobbying federal government in 3rd quarter

WASHINGTON — As Congress intensified its work rewriting the nation’s financial rule book over the last three months, some big recipients of the government’s $700 billion bailout spent a bit less trying to influence legislators.

Growing list of companies quitting US Chamber of Commerce over climate change stance

ALBANY, N.Y. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls itself the “voice of business,” yet a growing number of companies from Apple to Exelon are saying it doesn’t speak for them when it denies global warming and lobbies against climate change legislation.

National Restaurant Association spends $840,000 in 2Q to lobby on food safety, worker issues

WASHINGTON — The National Restaurant Association spent $840,000 in the second quarter to lobby on food safety, seasonal workers and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

Federal judge sets June 21 date for retrial of former lobbyist who worked for Abramoff

WASHINGTON — A federal judge Monday set June 21 for the retrial of a former lobbyist who worked for influence peddler Jack Abramoff.

That’s a wrap: Chief of Hollywood’s lobbying arm will step down next September

WASHINGTON — The face of Hollywood’s movie industry in Washington is leaving the post next year, prompting a casting call for one of this city’s most coveted lobbying jobs.