Corporations and others spend major cash to influence government action. See the list of top lobbiers of the state Legislature below.

By Peter Cameron, THE BADGER PROJECT

Wisconsin has strict lobbying laws, as lobbyists cannot give anything of value to an elected state official, candidate for state elective office, legislative employee, or agency official.

Not even a cup of coffee.

But that doesn’t stop big organizations from lobbying the Wisconsin State Legislature and others on behalf of their interests and members.

Business associations, like the powerful Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce, and others spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every year trying to shape, promote and block legislation and other government action. But by law, lobbyists or organizations who are lobbying are not allowed to give candidates or state officials anything of monetary value, like meals, transportation or lodging, unless that gift is also available to the public.

Lobbyists in Wisconsin cannot give politicians or candidates for office anything of monetary value, like meals, transportation or lodging, unless that gift is also available to the public.

Lobbyists can make a campaign donation to a candidate for office, but only between the start of a campaign and the election. A person who is not a lobbyist can make a campaign donation to any politician at any time.

Lobbyists must be registered with the state, and they must also report their hours and dollars spent lobbying to the state.

Here are the top 50 lobbiers of the Wisconsin State Legislature, by dollars reported, in 2023.

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The Badger Project is a nonpartisan, citizen-supported journalism nonprofit in Wisconsin.