After posting significant spending increases for the last several years, reported lobbying expenses have slowed or even reversed at many associations and nonprofit organizations, according to the latest lobbying disclosure documents submitted to Congress by the April 20 first quarter deadline. Of the top 200 association/nonprofit lobbying spenders, 45 percent posted decreases in spending when compared to the first quarter of 2008, including the National Association of Manufacturers, down by 57 percent, Associated Builders and Contractors, down by 50 percent and AARP, down by 43 percent. In the banking industry, four of the five big banking associations spent less in the… Read More