Minnesota by the numbers: money talks at the Capitol

Special interest groups spent some $46.5 million last year attempting to influence the political process in Minnesota, according to a study released today. That works out to a whopping $230,000 per state legislator.

The study was conducted by Hamline University political science professor David Schultz. That figure includes campaign contributions, donations to political parties, and gifts to so-called 527 organizations. But the overwhelming majority of the spending last year--some $42-million--went towards lobbying costs.

"Generally most people think that special interests spend only to influence political campaigns," notes Schultz in a statement, "but heavy spending in non-election years such as 2005 show that the money is aimed not just at affecting who gets to make policy but the policies themselves."

According to the Center for Public Integrity, in 2004 Minnesota had the fourth highest lobbying costs in the country, behind only California, Texas, and New York. When you break these figures down by per-capita cost, Minnesota moves ahead of all three.

In the study, Schultz also makes some predictions about the current election year. He estimates that at least $60-million will be spent in 2006 to influence state policies and politics, or more than $300,000 per legislator. "I think it's going to be even higher myself," he notes. "I'd rather err on the low side."