Lobby groups spend over $ 500 million in California last year

By the end of last summer, a data reporter Jeremiah kimmelman admitted that 2024 was about to Break the lobbying records for the cost in California. With the ending year and recent data submitted to the Secretary’s State, the lobbying groups really spent the unsurpassed amount of money in 2024 To influence the state government: $ 540 million, or 10% more than the previous year.

So, what were the biggest walks?

The list of the list was oil companies, which were the main focus of the special governor Gavin Newsom session called last summer to deal with gas pricesS The Western States oil Association reported over $ 17.3 million in 2024 intercession costs – including over $ 10 million spent last summer.

Electric Company Pacificorp and Communal Companies Pacific Gas & Electric also spent more last year: Pacificorp said it spent more than $ 13.4 million – about 30 times more than its annual dollars – while Pacific Gas & Elet.

But an excellent is the technical and search for the giant Google, which poured $ 11.9 million in a state level lobbying in 2024, more than it spends In the last 20 years combinedS Last summer has successfully opposed two bills related to Funding of journalism and Rules for artificial intelligenceS

Given the state of the state as one of the largest economies in the world, half a billion dollars to lobby costs is not too surprising for some political and economic experts. During the Legislative Session 2023-24, California also saw its The largest jump in registered lobbyists After more than a decade.

• Thomas HoliokProfessor of Political Science at Freen State University: “More and more interest groups and lobbyists will accept what Sacramento does very, very serious.”

Read more hereS

By a Calletatters higher education reporter Mikhail Zinshteyn:

Another federal cut of university studies, another court case – and another judge who has stopped cuts so far.

While proposed research abbreviations from universities from National Health Institutes have been Main care for campusesOther federal agencies are also major funding research. The Ministry of Energy provided to the University of California $ 162 million in funding for research Last year for 393 projects.

The department of President Donald Trump wanted to limit the main source of this funding, called indirect costs, to 15% – much lower than the existing agreed rates between campuses and the federal agency. The government said this move would save taxpayers $ 400 million a yearS Coalition of Universities and Higher Education Associations that consider UCS as members, brought a case last weekS Days after that Federal Judge at Massachusetts temporarily stopped the cutsS Indirect costs cover the costs of maintaining laboratories and other major research infrastructure.

Calculating the true price of the offered losses of the Ministry of Energy for UC is difficult but Nih also seeks to reduce these indirect percentages to 15%S One calculation found that the UC would lose $ 460 million from about $ 2.6 billion to finance the health science research system annually.

The California Institute of Energy Costume Department said he had spent $ 25 million on projects from the Ministry of Energy. 15% reduction in indirect costs would mean $ 6 million losses for the schoolS

By a CalMatters Economy Economy Reporter Levags:

A consumer advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the California Insurance Department last week, as the State Agency allowed private insurers to overpay $ 500 million to their customers.

The fair plan-state mandal Association of Insurers, which is required to provide fire insurance for property owners who cannot receive it elsewhere, the insurance department to approve a “estimate” of $ 1 billion to help support it after a Los Angeles County County. Insurers in the plan are required to fund the assessment. But below two ballots issued by the insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara last fall and in February, insurers can reimburse half of their expenses for the first time by imposing fees on their clients – who are not in the fair plan.

Calmatters reported in February This consumer guard was considering legal action. He filed a lawsuit to the Los Angeles Supreme Court last week, stating that Lara violated a law that requires a public commentary on a regulation and review of the Administrative Law Office. In addition, the group stated that Lara had violated the State’s insurance code as “effective (requires) every holder of a policy to rebuild its own insurer”. He asks the court to declare the ballots invalid and to order the insurance department to facilitate the return of fees for insurance clients so far.

Gabriel Sanchez, a spokesman for the insurance department, said the lawsuit “is not for the benefit of consumers”. The insurance industry also raised the case.

• Danny RitterVice President at the American Property Insurance Association: “It is crucial that the costs be widespread in a broader pool by insured clients.”