Lobbying Spending Reaches All-Time High
Preliminary total lobbying spending in 2024 rose to the highest level yet, with more than $377.1 million spent by those individuals and entities lobbying state and local officials and policymakers. This marks a 4.57% increase from the previous record of $360.6 million reported in 2023, with an additional $16.5 million spent in 2024. The data is based on information in public corporation bi-monthly reports and client semi-annual reports as of March 20, 2025.
Lobbying filings also saw a 5.8% increase in 2024, with 77,883 filings in total. Lobbying-related inquiries and responses totaled 39,491, a 3.2% increase from the 38,269 received in 2023.
Top Client Spenders and Retained Lobbyists
The healthcare industry had several top client spenders in 2024. The 1199SEIU Labor Management Initiatives, Inc. Healthcare Education Project again topped the list with $11.5 million spent on lobbying activities—up more than $3.1 million from 2023. A newcomer to the Top 10 clients category, the Alliance to Protect Home Care, Inc. came in second this year with $10.6 million in lobbying spending. The Greater New York Hospital Association fell to the number 4 spot from number 3 last year with $3 million in spending.
The gaming industry featured two top client spenders with Genting New York LLC ranking third on the list at $3.2 million in spending and newcomer Queens Future, LLC at number 5 with $2.6 million in lobbying. Total client spending among the top ten client spenders reached $39.1 million, marking another significant increase from the $31.59 million in 2023.
Rounding out the Top 10 were United University Professions, Inc. (#6, not in top 10 in 2023), AIRBNB, Inc. (#7, also not in the top 10 in 2023), newcomer Multistate Associates (#8), the NYS Trial Lawyers Association (dropping to #9 from #8 in 2023), and newcomer the American Beverage Association (#10). Multistate Associates, LLC is a contractual client that generally acts as an intermediary to retain the services of lobbyists for the benefit of others.
As for professional/retained lobbyists, the grand total of compensation (excluding coalition contributions) for the top ten retained lobbyists in 2024 reached $114.5 million. Once again Brown & Weinraub Advisors, LLC topped the list with $22.1 million in compensation, which remained steady from 2023. Bolton-St. Johns, LLC received $18.1 million for its lobbying on behalf of clients, retaining second place, and Kasirer LLC stayed at #3 with $17.1 million in compensation and expenses. Other rankings include Greenberg Traurig (#4), Ostroff Associates (#5), Hinman Straub Advisors (#6), and Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno, LLC (#7). Closing out the list are The Parkside Group, LLC (#8), Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, LLC (#9), and Manatt, Phelps, & Phillip, LLP (#10).
Clients Ranked by Top Compensation Payment
Last year saw a change in the top clients when ranked by compensation paid to retained lobbyists. Genting New York LLC remained in the number one spot, having paid $3.2 million in compensation to seven different retained lobbyists. However, Queens Future, LLC earned the number two spot at $1.6 million in compensation and Multistate Associates LLC claimed the number three spot, having paid $1.5 million to ten retained lobbyists.
Lobbying Firms by Number of Clients
Last year saw little change in the top lobbying firms by number of clients, with no change in the top three ranked firms. Brown & Weinraub Advisors, LLC held on to the top spot with 342 contractual clients and 375 beneficial clients. Their total compensation totaled $22.1 million. Bolton-St. Johns, LLC and Kasirer LLC maintained their number two and three spots respectively, with Bolton-St. Johns, LLC at 292 contractual clients and 291 beneficial clients and Kasirer LLC at 242 contractual clients and 250 beneficial clients. Compensation expenses for the top ten lobbying firms totaled $114.5 million in 2024.
Top Subjects, State Bills, and Parties Lobbied
Top lobbying subjects/topics remained unchanged in 2024 with Miscellaneous Business, Budget/Appropriations, and Health representing the top three. The top bills lobbied in 2024 continued to be budget bills and included Senate Bill 8307 and Assembly Bill 8807, both of which centered on implementing the state Health and Mental Hygiene Budget for the 2024-2025 state fiscal year. In the third spot was Senate Bill 8303, which focused on the Aid to Localities Budget by making appropriations for the support of government. Similarly, the top three parties lobbied remained the same and included Executive Chamber/Office of the Governor with 4,574 filings, NYS Senate Majority Program and Counsel Staff with 2,434 filings, and NYS Assembly Majority Program and Counsel Staff with 2,046 filings.
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