Lobbyists have spent $95,975 so far

An analysis of preliminary Legislative Counsel Bureau records on lobbyist spending shows the advocates are well ahead of their $74,395 in spending during the first half of the 2007 session.

The February and March 2009 spending included $93,558 on group events sponsored by lobbyists, and another $2,417 in spending by individual advocates on individual legislators.

A breakdown of the $2,417 in spending on individual legislators in February and March shows Assembly Corrections, Parole and Probation Chairman William Horne, D-Las Vegas, was No. 1, getting $455 in food and drinks from lobbyists.

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, was second at $380, followed by Assembly Commerce and Labor Chairman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, at $192; Senate Taxation Chairman Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, at $134; Assembly Transportation Chairman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, at $125, and Assembly Taxation Chairwoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, at $111.

Rounding out the top 10 were Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, at $101; Senate Commerce and Labor Chairwoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, at $83; Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Chairwoman Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson, at $79; and Assemblyman Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas, at $68.

Lobbyists reported spending nothing on 28 of the 63 lawmakers; and $20 or less on a dozen others.

The most expensive gatherings included a Nevada Mining Association reception that cost $8,854; and a lunch and dinner sponsored by Farmers Insurance that cost $7,559.

During February, separate events held by the Nevada chapter of Associated General Contractors and the Nevada Taxpayers Association each cost more than $11,000.

The lobbyists filed information on individual meetings with lawmakers. At the head of that list was Tim Crowley, representing the Nevada Mining Association, at $229.