Aug. 24--Last session, lobbyists spent $3 million to convince lawmakers of the wisdom of their clients' points of view.
That was less than in 2004 when about $3.5 million was spent - and much less than in 2003, when $7.9 million was distributed among lawmakers in the quest of persuading them to vote certain ways.
The drop in spending is almost certainly not because the work has gotten less demanding for lobbyists, or because legislators have grown more compliant, or lobbyists' clients have less at stake.
No. When lobbying expenses appear to drop - to be cut almost in half in two years - it's because lobbyists have become more cunning in how they report ...