Utilities, Business Groups Spent Most on Lobbying
Utility companies and associations representing retailers, real-estate brokers, bankers and health interests were among the big spenders on lobbyists last year in Annapolis.
Pepco Holdings tops a list just released by the State Ethics Commission, having spent $723,330 on lobbying between November 2007 and October 2008. That period included a special legislative session on the budget and the 2008 regular session.
Pepco was followed by the Maryland Retailers Association, which had a lot at stake in the special session -- including an increase in the sale tax -- and spent $640,400.
The Maryland Jockey Club, which is seeking to bring slot-machine gambling to Laurel Park, was the third highest spender, with $540,034.
Rounding out the Top 10:
4. Maryland Association of Realtors, $537,088
5. Maryland Bankers Association, $474,302
6. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, $424,609
7. Maryland Hospital Association, $408,727
8. Verizon Maryland, $402, 188
9. Mirant Mid-Atlantic, $395,515
10. Constellation Energy Group, $389,693
With all the activity, four contract lobbyists topped $1 million in reported earnings during the yearlong period.
Gary R. Alexander, the lead lobbyist for Alexander & Cleaver, topped the list, with $1.2 million.
Joel D. Rozner and Michael V. Johansen, both of the firm Rifkin, Livington, Levitan & Silver, occupied the No. 2 and No. 4 slots, respectively. Rozner reported $1.1 million in earnings, while Johansen reported just more than $1 million.
John R. Stierhoff of Venable edged out Johansen for the No. 3 slot, with earnings of more than $1 million.
Rounding out the Top 10:
5. D. Robert Enten, $944,598
6. Gerard E. Evans, $891,000
7. Bruce C. Bereano, $806,250
8. Gregory S. Proctor Jr., $796,649
9. Nicholas G. Manis, $765,750
10. Robin F. Shaivitz, $741,430
Collectively, the firm of Rikin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver reported nearly $3.6 million in earnings, followed by Alexander & Cleaver with $3.4 million. The next highest total for a firm was Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, with nearly $1.4 million.
By
John Wagner
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January 30, 2009; 2:08 PM ET
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John Wagner
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Posted by: robinfickerofrobinrealty | January 30, 2009 2:50 PM | Report abuse
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Montgomery County state legislators gave us a 52.6% increase in the state income tax, a 20% increase in the sales tax, a 20% increase in the car tax and a 18% increase in the corporate tax. Plus, they almost unanimously opposed successful Question B to give homeowners property tax relief.
President Obama, had he run on the above stimulous plan, would not have won Illinois, let alone the Nation.