From health care to highways, numbers also reflect issues hard-fought in Washington; more spending spikes expected in 2013 Two super spenders in the association world opened their coffers even wider in 2012, paying out a combined $177 million on advocacy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Realtors both invested heavily in elections and issues around the country, which is reflected in the numbers they reported to Congress. The deadline for the fourth quarter reports was Jan. 22. The Chamber doubled its spending compared with 2011, to $104 million, while its affiliate—the Institute for Legal Reform—spent another $32 million. However, the numbers… Read More