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Total spending by lobbyists in the Garden State last year rose to a record 56 million dollars. Election Law Enforcement Commission executive director Jeff Brindle says that’s one percent higher than the previous year.

“We attribute the small increase to economic conditions, the economic downturn that has taken place over the last couple of years. Lobbying is an industry and just like all other industries the economy does affect it.”

Brindle says spending by lobbyists for such things as meals and trips for public officials dropped 56 percent. He says that’s because officials are more sensitive to public concerns about accepting gifts, and they want to avoid even the appearance of being influenced.

LOCAL ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS FROM NJ.COM

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