Bruce Bereano
The American Petroleum Institute spent more money on lobbying during the recent General Assembly session than any other entity, according to a summary of lobbying activity just released by the Maryland State Ethics Commission.
API, which unsuccessfully fought an attempt to ban hydraulic fracturing in the state, spent more than $1.4 million, the ethics commission reported.
The report covered the period Nov. 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017 – but the lion’s share of lobbying activity takes place during the 90-day General Assembly session, which runs from mid-January to mid-April.
The ethics commission, which regulates state lobbyists, identified 16 entities that spent at least $200,000 on lobbying activity during the six-month period. They reflect the gamut of issues that came before lawmakers this year.
