2018 Lobby Report: Another Record
For Release 5/2/18
The 2018 Lobby Report looks at the power of the Nebraska lobby. It identifies how many lobbyists were active in 2017, how much was spent on lobbying, how much the lobby spent on entertainment, and how much money the top lobbying firms made.
It also examines the role of the education lobby. The University of Nebraska funds the largest lobbying force followed by the 17 school districts that have their own lobbyist. The state school funding formula has never been fully funded but those with lobbying power seem to get the most education tax dollars.
Voter’s remain unable to see how much lobbyists spend on entertaining individual senators and the accuracy of legislative reporting is questionable. The only gifts that can be crosschecked are the University’s gifts of admission and those often go unreported.
Beyond that, the report also examines:
- The major role lobbyists play in campaign fundraising for Nebraska’s policymakers.
- How the Revolving Door of legislators to lobbyists effects our state house
- ALEC’s secret membership in the unicameral
Common Cause firmly believes that every individual and organization have the right and even the responsibility to lobby their representatives. It’s the wining, dining, and fundraising that give special influence and create issues.