Phone, Cable Firms Take Lobbying Local

Telephone and cable television companies, long among the most aggressive lobbyists in Washington, also are spending heavily to influence state and local governments on a range of issues, according to a study released today by the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity. The companies spent at least $77 million lobbying officials around the country in 2003 and 2004 alone, the analysis of public records showed. That number is likely to be low, however, because many states require only minimal disclosure of lobbying activities, according to the study. Topping the list for lobbying was SBC Communications Inc., which spent $16.3 million during the two-year period. The Texas-based phone giant also has operations in California and 11 other states. Second was Cablevision Systems Corp., which spent $13.5 million. Verizon Communications Inc. was third at $11.2 million. The companies were working to influence issues such as who can provide new services in localities and setting rules for protecting consumers. New York, Texas and California were the most heavily lobbied states. Companies spent $1.95 million in Maryland during the period and $875,000 in Virginia. The phone and cable industries also gave campaign contributions totaling $56.8 million to state candidates between 1999 and 2004, according to the report.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Jonathan Krim]
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For more information see http://www.publicintegrity.org

* Telecoms spend big to try to sway rules
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050929/1b_telecoms29.art.htm

* Telecom Firms Push for Issues on State Level
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-lobby29sep29,1,1841117.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-business

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[SOURCE: National Journal's Insider Update, AUTHOR: Bara Vaida]
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-ZLCM1127945542869.html