Lobbyist wine and dine, nearing $203,000

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Mining, developers and film interests reported wining and dining New Mexico lawmakers last week.

Lobbyists and their employers have reported spending nearly $203,000 through Monday. They must report any spending of $500 to the Secretary of State within 48 hours.

Last week’s biggest event was a $15,845 dinner at the Hilton sponsored by the New Mexico Mining Association. The IATSE Local 480, a union for film employees, spent $6,378 on a reception at the Pink Adobe.

Vanessa Alarid reported spending $2,430 on West Side Day, celebrating the west side of Albuquerque. Alarid represents Garrett Development Co., an Arizona company planning the Santolina development on the west side. UPDATE: Alarid emailed NMID to say she sponsored West Side Day on her own, not in representation with a client.

Each week, various groups hold events – often invite-only dinners – to entertain lawmakers. Among this week’s events is a Wednesday reception at the Inn of Loretto sponsored by Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun-control advocacy group founded by former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

During last year’s 30-day session, lobbyists and employers reported spending $237,000 on lawmakers in amounts of $500 or more. During the 2015 60-day session, lobbyists and their employers spent nearly $300,000.

Here’s a look at this year’s spending thus far:

One thought on “Lobbyist wine and dine, nearing $203,000

  1. I’d like to know what internet communications entails, and how the NRA could possibly spend $44k on such communications.

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