Lobbyist spending nears $68,000 as week 2 of session concludes

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From fancy dinners to ski passes, lobbyists and their employers reported spending more than $68,000 during the first two weeks of the legislative session.

Topping the list are $27,500 worth of ski passes for lawmakers from Ski New Mexico Director George Brooks.

Presbyterian Health Plan spent $10,873 on a dinner for elected officials at La Posada on Jan. 18.

Lobbyists and their employers must report all expenses of $500 or more within 48 hours during the legislative session.

Lawmakers have a packed social calendar, often with a selection of breakfasts and dinners to attend. In addition, some lobbyists report private dinners for select groups of legislators.

During last year’s 30-day session, lobbyists and their employers reported spending nearly $237,000. In the 2015 60-day session, they reported spending nearly $300,000.

And much more spending under $500 per event will be reported in May reports to the Secretary of State’s office. In 2016, lobbiysts and their employers reported spending nearly $595,000 on public officials.

Here’s a look at all the spending reported thus far.

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