NEW LOCAL ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT | CORPORATE LOBBYING

The big business of influencing government

By DAVE MICHAELS Although Texas is often equated with the oil and gas business in Washington policy fights, the state’s
Washington Bureau
dmichaels@dallasnews.com diverse and growing economy means an increasing number of firms see a need to lobby the federal
TROY OXFORD government. A handful of North Texas’ biggest companies operate Washington offices that track
Staff Artist
toxford@dallasnews.com legislation and regulation on a daily basis. Many of the same companies also are active in the state
capital of Austin.

Dallas-Fort Worth’s big spenders under the Dome
Eight North Texas companies have already spent more than
$1 million this year to lobby Congress. Smaller companies are
typically less active in Washington, D.C., but they ramp up
lobbying efforts when they see legislation, such as the
federal health law, that could reshape their industry.
The nation’s biggest spenders on lobbying
The largest business groups and corporations deploy an
army of in-house and hired-gun lobbyists to influence
legislation and regulation in Congress and the federal
agencies.

2010 lobbying expenses to date 2010 lobbying expenses to date

AT&T Inc. $12.5 million U.S. Chamber of Commerce $81.1 million
Exxon Mobil Corp. $9.9 million PG&E Corp. $44.8 million
American Airlines Corp. $4.5 million General Electric Co. $32.1 million
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Co. $3.9 million FedEx Corp. $19.5 million
Energy Future Holdings Corp. $3.7 million American Medical Association $17.6 million
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers
Fluor Corp. $1.1 million of America $16.8 million
Texas Instruments Inc. $1.1 million ConocoPhillips $16.8 million
Tenet Healthcare Corp. $1 million Blue Cross/Blue Shield $16.3 million
Energy Transfer Partners $910,000 American Hospital Association $13.6 million
TPG Capital $830,000 Boeing Co. $13.2 million
Dean Foods Co. $772,000 Verizon Communications Inc. $13 million
Cash America International Inc. $730,000 AARP $12.9 million
Alcon Laboratories Inc. $670,000 National Association of Realtors $12.8 million
Kosmos Energy LLC $660,000 AT&T Inc. $12.5 million
Lennox International Inc. $560,000 Northrup Grumman Corp. $12.1 million
National Cable & Telecommunications
Affiliated Computer Services Inc. $530,000 Association $11.9 million
Southwest Airlines Co. $450,000 Pfizer Inc. $10.7 million
Christus Health System $450,000 Chevron Corp. $10 million
Denbury Resources Corp. $420,000 National Association of Broadcasters $10 million
ACE Cash Express Inc. $330,000 Exxon Mobil Corp. $10 million

Lobbying Austin is big business The issues that matter

Texas state lobbyists report ranges, instead of exact values, for their contracts. The federal budget and
Regulated businesses such as AT&T, along with statewide business groups, spend appropriations process attracts the
millions to influence legislators, even during a legislative off-year such as 2010. most interest among Texas interests
in Washington. The subject is likely to
2010 lobbying expenses (estimated ranges) Low estimate High estimate
be at the top of the list next year, too,
AT&T Inc. given the drive to reduce budget
Energy Future Holdings Corp. deficits.
Texas Medical Association
Centerpoint Energy Inc. Number of quarterly reports
Texas Association of Realtors filed by lobbyists for Texas clients
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Oncor Electric Delivery Co.
TXU Energy Federal
Energy
Association of Electric Companies of Texas Inc. Spending
328
Exxon Mobil Corp. 444
Texas Cable Association
Altria Group
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP Health
Taxes
American Electric Power care
276
Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas 291
AEP Texas
City of Austin Transportation Defense
218 Environment 170
Luminant
186
Port of Houston Authority
El Paso County Medicare
Finance and Education
0 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10
130 Medicaid 105
In millions 129

SOURCES: Senate Office of Public Records; Center for Responsive Politics; Texas Ethics Commission

The bottom line

“Lobbying gets a bad name. The fact “Special interests and corporations “For two years, business lobbyists
is lobbying is central in our have slowly awakened to what they can have played defense against
Constitution. They may not know it, gain by employing an army of lobbyists. Democratic proposals to reshape
but every person in Dallas is probably You get earmarks, tax breaks. You fight health care, tighten financial regulation
represented by multiple lobbyists – off regulations that and reduce carbon emissions. With
whether it’s the would be costly. The power swinging back
National range of things to Republicans, many
Association of businesses can get see an opportunity
Realtors or the out of Congress is to roll back costly
PTA or the NRA or huge and probably regulations. A
the AARP.” infinite.” change in power is
good for the
lobbying business.”
Steve Bartlett, former Dallas mayor David Arkush, director of Public Dave Michaels, Washington
who now heads the Financial Services Citizen’s Congress Watch division correspondent,
Roundtable, a major lobbying group in The Dallas Morning News
Washington, D.C.