Lobbying Spending Steady in Q1 Despite Economy
Preliminary filings for the first quarter show lobbying spending about even with last year’s for the communications sector, despite the economic downturn. Energy, health and financial firms were listed among top spenders by CQ’s Political Moneyline. The communications sector had the third-highest overall spending, behind finance and health, following the past few years’ pattern. Not all data has been uploaded to congressional Web sites yet. The reporting deadline was Monday.
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The NAB ranked No. 8 among spenders Q1 at $2.6 million, according to Political Moneyline’s rankings, released Wednesday. The association spent $2.5 million a year earlier. Verizon spent about the same as it had, AT&T and USTelecom slightly less. The NCTA spent a bit more than it had a year earlier.
The NAB’s report said its representatives met with officials in Congress, the White House, the FCC, the NTIA and Small Business Association. Top lobbying issues for the group included broadcast localism, spectrum and FM receiver chips in mobile phones. Other issues included legislation dealing with the digital TV transition, radio performance royalties, community radio, satellite carriage issues, and journalism shield bills, the report said. NAB President David Rehr was listed as a registered lobbyist on all major issues before the association, which reported about a dozen lobbyists working during the quarter.
USTelecom spent $1.16 million on in-house lobbying activities in the first quarter. Its issues included broadband stimulus, universal service and telecom tax and business matters. It spent $1.5 million a year earlier.
AT&T spent slightly less, $5.13 million, than the $5.21 million a year earlier. It had nine in-house lobbyists working on the broadband stimulus. Other lobbying issues included a wide range of telecom, tax, Internet, cable and satellite bills.
Verizon Wireless spent $1.16 million on in-house lobbying activities in the first quarter. It reported meetings at the White House, Congress and Department of Homeland Security on a matters including appropriations, cellphone taxes, the digital transition, spectrum, cybersecurity and text messaging.
Qwest reported spending $980,000 on in-house lobbying. It reported meeting with Congress on broadband, universal service and business tax and health measures.
The NCTA reported spending $3.37 million, up slightly from $3.29 million. The association’s nine lobbyists, including President Kyle McSlarrow, met with Congress, the FCC and Commerce and Agriculture departments on issues including broadband stimulus, the digital transition and bills dealing with phone, Internet, broadcast, content and satellite industry matters.