Q4 advocacy-related expenses reported to Congress this week were up 9 percent from Q3; 2013 year-end total down by 6 percent Lobbying expenditures by the Association of American Railroads dropped 36 percent in 2013. And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported a 45 percent decrease in spending. But in a non-election year with very few issues tackled by Congress, the drop in lobbying expenses are in line with expectations. Comparing lobbying expenses to the last non-election year—2011—associations and nonprofits spent 5 percent more in 2013. Still, there were some standout spending increases by tax-exempt organizations last year. One of the biggest increases came from the… Read More