Katherine Skiba summarizes state political lobbying spending (data is from the Wisconsin Ethics Board). I was surprised at Wisconsin’s top spender(s):

• WEAC – the Teacher’s Lobby: $1,083,487
• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: $639,925
• Wisconsin Independent Businesses Inc.: $512,692
• Wisconsin Merchants Federation: $465,314
• Wisconsin Counties Association: $462,814;
• Wisconsin Hospital Association Inc.: $424,664
• Wisconsin Energy Corporation: $393,438
• Forest County Potawatomi Community: $374,276
• Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: $337,025
• Aurora Health Care Inc.: $315,957
• Madison Gas & Electric: (highest utility rates in the state!) $132,553